A project is looking into the effects of strip tillage and precision planting on canola crops, a news release from Lethbridge College, says on Feb. 18. The three-year study is partly being funded through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.
The research is aiming to increase crop emergence and canola seed yield under western Canadian climate conditions by using improved crop production practices, the release notes. Rezvan Karimi Dehkordi, research associate on the Mueller Applied Research in Irrigation Science team at Lethbridge College, and Farming Smarter research scientist Gurbir Dhillon, are leading the project.
“With demand for canola expected to rise by 26 million metric tonnes by the year 2025 to meet growing market demand, this research can help producers looking to increase production,” says Karimi in the release. “Since we have short, cold growing seasons, it’s important to properly prepare the seed bed so that seeds have a better chance to germinate.”
Strip tillage prepares the field by tilling narrow strips for planting while leaving areas between the strips with undisturbed crop residue, the release says. Studies show this can reduce soil erosion and soil compaction and improve soil quality. Precision planting is a method of seeding which involves placing seed at a precise spacing and depth with a precision planter.
