Canola Target Plant Population

This is the most precise way to achieve the target plant population (TPP) of 5 to 8 plants/ft² as recommended by our Agronomic team and consistent with the Canola Council of Canada. For DEKALB Canola that adds up to a target of 4.25 million seeds in every bag of DEKALB Canola seed which will seed 10 acres per bag.

In order to achieve the optimal plant population of 5 to 8 plants/ft², our research has determined that packaging by seed count instead of weight ensures that no matter the TSW, there are 4.25 million seeds targeted in every bag. This allows DEKALB canola growers to get the most out of their canola seed.

Years of research and experience with our Corn and Soybean seed portfolios has shown us that it’s not about bag weight but rather the number of seeds you receive in each bag that will allow you to maintain the yield potential of your canola crop. It’s the number of seeds per bag that counts. Regardless of the TSW (thousand seed weight) and corresponding bag weight, each DEKALB bag will contain a target of 4.25 million seeds.

You can order DEKALB canola in bags, totes and SeedPaks which will contain a target of:

• 4.25M seeds/bag : 10 acres/bag
• 85M seeds/tote : 200 acres/tote
• 170M seeds/SeedPak : 400 acres/SeedPak

If you wish to further refine your seeding rate based on your target plant population, TSW size and known or estimated survivability on your farm, use the seeding rate chart.

• Non-uniform plant stand – this may be affected by the seeding practices or the field variability. A low emergence rate could be the cause of low plant density. In fields that historically have patchy stands, a low seeding rate can compound the issue
• Weed control – low plant densities allow more room for weeds to grow. Vigilant weed management will be important if plant densities are lower²
• Uneven maturity – low plant stands may have increased branching. This can cause delayed maturity since branches flower and mature later than the main stem. In a short growing season, maturity may be an important factor to consider³
• Extended flowering time due to increased branching in low plant populations can make it difficult to stage and time a proper sclerotinia fungicide application

^Sources

^{2 Canola Council of Canada. Target plant density.https://www.canolacouncil.org/calculator/target-plant-density
3 Canola Council of Canada. 2020. Why does canola lodge? In Canola Watch August 12, 2020.https://www.canolacouncil.org/canola-watch/2020/08/12/why-does-canola-lodge}

Lodging – high plant densities (more than 14 plants per square foot) can result in increased lodging as stems are thin and pods may be concentrated at the top of the plant³

• Disease – high plant densities can be more at risk for yield loss due to sclerotinia. A thick canopy and increased lodging can create ideal conditions for this disease⁴
• Internal crop competition – too many plants condensed in a row can lead to crop competition where plants compete for available resources to the point where some plants are thinned out

^Sources

^{3 Canola Council of Canada. 2020. Why does canola lodge? In Canola Watch August 12, 2020.}

^{4 Canola Council of Canada. Canola Encyclopedia. https://www.canolacouncil.org/canola-encyclopedia/}