04 Jul 2011

Juncea canola in the low rainfall zones of Victoria and South Australia.


Juncea canola in the low rainfall zones of Victoria and South Australia.

Rob Norton, Principal Lecturer (Agronomy), University of Melbourne, Horsham - Now IPNI Australia and New Zealand


Trent Potter, Senior Research Scientist, SARDI, Struan.
Barry Haskins, District Agronomist,New South Wales DPI, Hillston.
Don McCaffrey, Technical Specialist (Pulses and Oilseeds), New South Wales DPI, Orange
Rod Bambach, Technical Officer (Oilseeds), New South Wales DPI, Tamworth

Summary: Juncea canola checklist
1. Determine if your farm is in the appropriate rainfall zone where juncea canola would be beneficial to your farming system.

2. Ensure the market is stable and the price on offer is competitive with canola or other options for the paddock.

3. Select a paddock which is:


• free of harmful herbicide residues
• soil pHCa >5
• has good soil structure and preferably standing stubble, and
• a low broadleaf weed population if using a conventional variety

4. Aim to sow in April to early May.

5. Aim to achieve an evenly established stand of 20–35 plants/m2 for early sowing and 35–50 plants/m2 for later sowing. Sowing rates of 2-4 kg/ha will generally give these densities.

6. Juncea canola seed is smaller than canola, so reduce sowing rates accordingly.

7. Sow in rows 15–30 cm wide. Wider rows can reduce yield potential.

8. Apply nutrition according to soil test results – in general apply 8–12 kg P/ha, 15–20 kg S/ha and 30–50 kg N/ha.

9. Apply crop protection products to limit impacts from pests and weeds. Read Permit PER 9343, (expiry 3/03/2012) before using any product on juncea canola.

10. Assess crop maturity for suitability for direct heading or windrowing. Note seed colour is yellow when mature.


Additional Resources

ViCSAGrowersGuide.pdfSize: 0.72 MB




More about: Best Management Practices