Research Objective

• To determine level of heat stress tolerance in 40 varieties of canola
  • 20 varieties from within Canada
  • 20 varieties from outside of Canada
• Determine if their tolerance is superior to the current industry standard, Westar

Project Description

Canola plants are susceptible to flower blasting, which is when flowers have reduced fertility and pods/branch due to damage from high temperatures during their flowering period. A previous study has suggested that for each degree above 30 C during canola's flowering period, the field will have a yield loss of 4%. With temperature trends increasing, this is a problem across all of Canada. Currently, not many varieties have flower blasting tolerance, which is why this study proposed to look at 40 varieties in search of genes that are tolerant and can be incorporated into standard canola varieties. 38 varieties had already been studied, with Westar having the greatest level of tolerance but still not optimal. Therefore, this project is important for all Canadian canola producers and is the beginning of a solution to an increasing problem.