Getting more bang for your buzz: Does pollination compensate for canola yield lost under sub-optimal soil moisture, nitrogen fertilization and/or seeding rates?

The Challenge

An additional 18 bushels an acre is required to reach the 52 bushels by 2025 target set by the Canola Council of Canada. Recent findings demonstrate that canola seed yield and maturity rate increase with honey bee floral visitation, but the role of the honey bee must be explored further under to consistently rely on results.

The Project

Determine whether the benefits of honey bee pollination are enhanced under sub-optimal growing conditions and late season compensation. These situations can exist in three common agronomic practices in western Canada.

The Results

Pollinators enhance canola yield by promoting earlier flowering and reducing loss associated with drought. However, pollinators were not able to compensate for suboptimal seeding rate or low nitrogen fertility. 

Grower Benefits

Support of pollinators can increase canola yields, which increases crop production profits.