|
IV. Canola
G. D. Buntin, R. D. Hudson, and J. N. All
Canola, Brassica napus, is a new winter field crop being
grown as an oilseed crop. Virtually all production is in the spring-type varieties that
are grown in the Coastal Plain region. Most of canola acreage is contract production of
laurate canola. About 15,000 acres was planting in fall 1995, but severe freezing
temperatures in December, February and March destroyed most of the crop. About 2,000 acres
were harvested. Grain yield averaged 23 bu/acre (1150 lb/acre) and had a market price of
$6.00/bu.
Three species of aphids (turnip, green peach, and cabbage
aphids) occur in canola. Aphids, primarily turnip aphid, were an economic problem in some
fields especially in southeastern Georgia. The cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus
assimilis, occurs only in the Piedmont region and is not a major pest in most new
plantings. However, it did severely damage fields on a few farms where canola has been
produced for a number of years.
________________
*Dr. John Woodruff, Extension Agronomist, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, personal
communication.
Estimates of Losses and
Control Costs |
Rank |
Insect |
Cost of Control |
Damage |
Total |
1 |
Aphids |
$4,000 |
$3,000 |
$7,000 |
2 |
Cabbage seedpod weevil |
3,000 |
0 |
3,000 |
| |
Total |
$7,000 |
$3,000 |
$10,000 |
|
Information Pertaining to Control of Major Canola Insect Pests in
Georgia in 1996 |
Insects |
No. Acres Needing Control |
No. Acres Treated |
No. of Acres Applic. |
Avg. Cost Per Unit Treated1 |
Bu. Loss on Units Treated |
Bu. Loss on Units
Untreated |
Aphids |
600 |
500 |
1.0 |
$7.00 |
0.7 |
2.3 |
Cabbage seedpod weevil |
400 |
400 |
2.0 |
4.00 |
0 |
2.3 |
|
| 1 Excluding application costs. |
|
