Check canola pods

Canola seed colour change indicates peak yield and oil content, making it the key determinant for timing windrowing or desiccation.

While most growers and agronomists are aware of this key indicator, there are some misconceptions about what constitutes seed colour change and how it should be assessed.

South Australian consultant Trent Potter from Yeruga Crop Research said growers must stay in control of the timing for windrowing and desiccation, and need to know how to assess the maturity of the seed themselves.

He said it was imperative growers open pods and check the seed colour.

“A visual estimation based on pod colour is not sufficient and will result in lost profits,” he said.

The timing of windrowing has been the subject of significant research effort co-funded by the GRDC, NSW Department of Primary Industries, CSIRO and partner organisations under an Optimised Canola Profitability project.

Researchers have re-confirmed studies from the 1970s and ’80s that showed physiological maturity in canola is reached when 40 to 60 percent of seeds on the primary stem change colour from green to red, brown or black.

However, their research has also shown the importance of assessing seed colour change on the canola plant branches as about 70 percent of the crop yield is held on the plant branches rather than the main stem.

There is a significant delay in physiological maturity between seed in pods on the stem and pods on the branches, and this needs to be included in grower assessment.

Australian Oilseeds Federation chief executive Nick Goddard said an incorrect visual image of ‘green seed’ in a GTA Visual Reference Standard Guide last season saw consignments of canola accepted on delivery with too much green seed.

“This season what is classified as a green seed in the VRSG has been clarified and tightened,” he said.

He said the Visual Reference Standard Guide was available on a Grain Trade Australia website.