2022 Canola Performance Trials Small Plot Protocol
Overview
The goal of the Canola Performance Trials (CPT) is to evaluate commercial canola seed varieties currently available to farmers. Yield differences should be due to genetic differences only, not due to high weed, disease or insect pressure or enhancements made by additional crop protection agents. For research trials, this may mean taking pest control action below economic thresholds used for commercial production.
Use best practices for pest control to lessen impact of pest damage for best results. Local contractor is to make the best choice of product for each site. Ensure products are applied at the right time and right rate. CPT coordinator, CCC Agronomist or Provincial Oilseed Specialist can provide input if required.
Site Selection:
Sites should be selected where trial protocols will fit logistically. Sites should be:
Easily accessible.
Uniform and well-drained.
Headlands of fields to be excluded from test area.
Not on a tight rotation - break from canola for past three growing seasons.
With a co-operator that will take the time and has enthusiasm to participate in this trial.
Sites with no rotational issues such as herbicide residue, weed infestations or disease pressure (severe blackleg, root rot or verticillium).
No history of clubroot; trials in areas where clubroot is prevalent should not grow non clubroot resistant varieties.
Other Considerations
Disease: Sclerotinia stem rot and other diseases will need to be controlled with fungicide. Treat entire site with the same product/rate/timing. It may be necessary to have multiple application dates to cover the staging variation between entries.
Weeds: Document the weeds and stages at spraying time and those that survive / emerge after spraying. This is important because weeds / application timing or removal have a large influence on yield and weeds can be expected to be spatially / temporally variable across the plots.
Sprayer tank contamination: Ensure proper clean-out (triple rinse, use of ammonia) of tank between herbicide applications. If equipment available, use separate tanks for the 3 herbicide systems: glyphosate (Roundup Ready and TruFlex), LibertyLink, and Clearfield.
Spray drift: Ensure there is no risk of drift by establishing a “no-spray zone” of 10m around the trial area. Low drift nozzles and shrouds are required to be used during herbicide application to ensure that there is no drift between herbicide treatments within the trials.
Seed: Treated seed will be provided to cooperators. All commercially-registered fungicide and insecticide seed treatments are acceptable. Canola varieties MAY be treated with JumpStart, Jumpstart XL or other phosphorus availability agents (e.g. PO₄) at the base label rate. No other seed-applied coating(s), biological, fertilizer dressings or other growth promoters are allowed. Seed treatment package must be disclosed to Trial Coordinator by March 15.
General Management: All management aspects must be as similar as possible between trial systems - fertility, seeding rate, seeding date, spraying, swathing, and harvest. All plots to be seeded the same day.
Site Audits: Each site will be inspected and audited by members of the committee or by the CPT coordinator to ensure quality of data. CCC Crop Production and Innovation team members are allowed to visit the sites and potentially take drone images (exclusively for internal and CPT Technical Committee use) of the plots throughout the growing season. GPS coordinates and site coordinator contact information to be provided to CPT coordinator by June 15 each season.
Trial Design: Randomized Complete Block Design with 4 replications. Herbicide systems will be blocked to minimize the potential for injury. The outer-most plots the replications should have at least one guard plot. Seed for guard plots to be supplied as well as the seed for each individual variety. Trials may need to be sprayed with individual plot sprayer to reduce drift potential. Trial to be designed by CPT coordinator and randomizations and plot plans sent to field cooperators. Trial design NOT TO BE ALTERED.
Small Plot System – STANDARD Protocol
Plot Dimensions: Plot width will be dependent upon seeding equipment width. Approximately 1.5 to 2.1m wide X 5m or 6m long = 7.5m² to 12.5m². Guard-rows will be a composite of trial entries and will be supplied by the CPT trial coordinator.
Seeding Rate:
Seed each plot so that they produce a targeted 5-8 plants/square foot (at the 2-4 leaf stage, as per CCC recommendation). Seeding rates to achieve the target plant population are to be determined by cooperator based off local survivability history.
Preference is for seed size between 4 and 6 grams per 1000 seeds.
Seed companies to provide thousand seed weight and germination results for all entries. Germination test results expected to be less than 6 months old and must meet the standards set by the CFIA for commercial seed.
Fertilizer Rate:
Fertilizer blend and rate should be used in accordance with soil tests or local recommendations and applied at the same rate for all varieties.
Fertilize to achieve target yields of 55 bu/ac. If this is not achievable, or this is too low for your area, indicate target yield along with applied fertilizer. Notify Trial Coordinator prior to seeding.
Herbicide Applications: Prefer early spray timing i.e., 2 to 3 leaf stage. Spraying the 3 treatments at a location should be done all on the same day, but if this is not possible then no more than 3 days apart.
PLEASE NOTE: The weed control in each plot should reflect the efficacy of the corresponding herbicide technology, i.e., Clearfield, Liberty, Roundup or TruFlex. Only rates, reapplication and tank mixes as per herbicide label are allowed. Weed-free situation is not required. Application of additional weed control measures (herbicides or hand weeding) is allowed only under exceptional circumstances (and must be discussed with CPT Coordinator prior to additional applications)
Glyphosate-tolerant (Roundup Ready or TruFlex) lines: Not all glyphosate products are registered for use on glyphosate tolerant canola at all rates listed. Refer to individual product labels for specific uses and rates. The number of Roundup Ready and TruFlex applications should be similar – either one or two applications. A maximum of 360 and 720 g ae of glyphosate in crop per acre per season is allowed in Roundup Ready and TruFlex canola respectively. Water volumes: 40 L per acre in most situations. Refer to product label for adjuvant and water volume requirements.
LibertyLink lines: Liberty 150SN, 1.35 – 1.62L/ac. Only if needed, a second application of 1.35 – 1.62L/ac can be applied to a maximum total combined rate of 3.24 L per acre. DO NOT apply more than 3.24 L/ac of Liberty 150SN in one season.
Water Volume, 45L/ac (approximately 110L/ha).
If a tank mix is required, Centurion or Select can be used. Add registered adjuvant to the tank first followed by Liberty and then Centurion or Select. Consult label for specific mixing instructions.
Clearfield Lines: Ares. Refer to product label for adjuvant and water volume requirements.
Fungicide/Insecticide Applications: Apply as required to ensure crop pests are not impactful on the trial. The economic threshold for flea beetle damage is at 25% defoliation, on any one plot – and shall necessitate foliar insecticide application to all CPT plots. Use label directions for application timing, product amounts and water volumes. Record crop stage, product used, rate, etc. It is preferable to apply product in perpendicular to the direction of seeding (e.g. plots seeded north-south direction, spray across travelling east-west). If insects are present, but not at levels high enough control, make note of pests present
Swathing: Swath trials when the plots exhibit >60% seed colour change. Ensure that the guard rows are left standing to protect swathed entries.
Harvest: Target seed moisture of <10% when harvesting the trial. It is preferable for the plot combine to be equipped with an automated weigh and moisture reading system.
Yield collection: final plot yields to be calculated by the Trial Coordinator. Send the plot weight and plot % moisture data within 5 days of harvest.
Visitor Sanitation: See the ‘Operational Guidelines for Conducting Field Research’ section in Appendix.
Small Plot System – STRAIGHT CUT Protocol
Plot Dimensions & Overview: Straight cut protocol is identical to the standard protocol above for plot dimensions, seeding rate, fertilizer rate, herbicide applications, and fungicide/insecticide applications.
Straight Cut Entries:
Hybrids with a Direct Harvest Claim will be entered into the straight cut entry protocol.
Straight Cut Entry Harvest:
Straight cut entries are to be straight cut combined, targeting ~12% seed moisture. If season is later 15% seed moisture may be acceptable, please coordinate activities with trial coordinator. In case of slow dry-down due to weather conditions, the entire trial could be desiccated when the crop meets the labelled stage for the harvest aid of choice.
Desiccants may be used prior to harvest. Please see list of recommended products and rates and use according to labelled rates and application timing. Check for pre-harvest intervals at keepingitclean.ca.
Data Recording:
An excel spreadsheet (2022 CPT Crop Management Sheet) will be provided to all site coordinators to record the following information.
Soil test information (standard excel form will be provided for consistent data collection)
Seeding date
Plot Stand Density at 4-6 leaf stage
Herbicide application information
Dates, products, rate and water volume, temperature and wind speed/direction (may help explain some of the drift issues)
Weeds present and density estimate, and weeds not controlled
Target yield
Fertilize to achieve a target yield of 55 bu/ac. If this is not achievable, or too low for your area, indicate alternative target yield upon consultation with trial coordinator.
Applied fertilizer
Method, product, actual rates applied in lbs/ac
Environmental information
Soil moisture (poor, good, excellent), rainfall (date and amount), frost events (date, minimum temp).
Fungicide and/or insecticide application information
Date, products, rates and water volumes (if applied)
Maturity
Days from planting to swathing will be based on the representative plants in the plot are at 60% seed colour change for Swath hybrids and 90% seed colour change for Straight Cut hybrids, assessment to be made on all plots.
Lodging resistance
Measured on the degree of lean to the lower stem of the plant on a 1 to 5 scale (1=erect, 5=flat). Lodging notes recorded at 60% seed colour change.
Harvest date
Seed moisture content (%) at harvest
Desiccation date (if applicable)
SITE AUDITING:
Plot uniformity - notes should be taken at 6-8 leaf stage on the uniformity of each plot. These notes are to describe low or irregular stand issues that may contribute to variable yield results.
Weed Density & Control - notes should be taken on weed species and their density prior to herbicide application. Similar notes should be taken 2-3 weeks after spraying to describe any poorly controlled weeds, herbicide drift injury, or spray misses, recorded for each plot that has an issue. Below is a list of reasons that a trial or location should be considered not valid. Sites should be selected where trial protocols will fit logistically.
Spray drift: The use of low drift nozzles is required, and sprayer shrouds are recommended for all herbicide applications to minimize drift between herbicide treatments within the trial. Ensure proper clean-out (triple rinse, use of ammonia or other tank cleaner) of tank, sprayer lines and nozzles between herbicide applications. Two to three weeks after herbicide application, look for patterns of drift in field. If spray drift present but on areas not to be used as yield data, the trial may still be accepted. If drift occurs in area to be used as yield data, then that plot, or replicate may be excluded from the trial results. If the herbicide drift damage is widespread on entire trial, then entire trial will typically not be approved for data use. When expected herbicide damage has occurred, please notify the trial coordinator to determine most appropriate actions.
Reasons for Rejecting a Trial or a Site
Hail - Any damage must be reported to CPT coordinator within 3 working days of hail event to assess the site and determine the trial outcome (hail may result in cancellation).
Obvious high disease or insect pressure. These are patchy by nature.
Off-label herbicide applications or any herbicide application errors.
Spray drift that cannot be accounted for
Agronomic issues
Incorrect swathing timing
Poor site selection resulting in poor or variable yields.
Seeding issues/stand establishment, etc.
Lack of Research personnel and/or weigh wagon present at harvest
Yield CV >15%
Other Acts of God causing significant damage:
Gophers or other wildlife damage
Tornado – plough winds
Yields less than 18bu/ac.
CPT Technical Committee has final determination whether data is valid. For example, site CV and input from cooperators are taken into account with all sites.
Vehicle and Equipment Sanitation Procedures:
The largest clearly established factor contributing to clubroot spread is contaminated soil on agricultural equipment. Do not drive into field or access, but park on the road whenever possible.
Exceptions can be made for field-trials with permission of the grower. In these cases, vehicle sanitation procedures will apply. Industry personnel can walk into fields but must follow human sanitation procedures.
Vehicles should especially stay out any of these fields following a rain – wet soil is much more difficult to remove than dry.
If a vehicle enters a field in the infested municipalities, then it will follow these procedures:
Before entering any field, vehicles and equipment must be clean. Growers should be encouraged to inspect any vehicles/equipment as well. This will reduce concern that soil (infested or not) is being transported.
When leaving the field, knock off all clumps of soil in the field before leaving the field – preferably not in the field’s approach, but off to one side.
If a pressure washer is available, pressure wash any visible soil, focus on tires, undercarriage, and any other parts that may have contact with soil. If this is not available, drive directly to a carwash and clean vehicle and equipment as best as possible.
Mist down tires and other points of contact with a disinfectant, such as 2% bleach (sodium hypochlorite) solution (bleach can be corrosive). This disinfectant process should be the last step since most disinfectants do not effectively penetrate soil. The disinfectant will need to be in contact for 20 to 30 minutes with the pathogen to be effective. Vehicles and equipment need to be clean and free of soil for the disinfection process to be effective.
Human Sanitation Procedures:
If industry personnel enter a field in any potentially infested regions, whether it is known to have clubroot or not, they are to follow these human sanitation procedures:
Wear disposable footwear that can be removed immediately after leaving the field. Another option is to use rubber boots or other footwear that can be sterilized (misted) with a disinfectant solution (10% bleach, Spray 9) upon leaving the field.
If using disposable boot covers, check for punctures upon exiting the field. If holes are found, disinfect footwear with disinfection solution as described above.
Dispose of the disposable footwear in a sterile fashion. Sealing in a garbage bag and burning is preferred. Do not reuse disposable footwear.
2022 Canola Performance Trials Field Scale Protocol
Site Selection:
Sites should be selected where trial protocols will fit logistically. Sites should be:
Easily accessible.
Uniform and well-drained sites.
Headlands of fields to be excluded from test area.
Recommended 3-year rotation cycle. (But not always possible and shouldn’t limit participation in program).
With a co-operator with time and enthusiasm to participate in this trial design.
Sites with no rotational issues such as herbicide residue.
No history of clubroot for trials that are evaluating CR susceptible hybrids.
Other Considerations
Spray drift:
Recommendation of low drift nozzles and shrouds are required to be used during herbicide application to reduce drift between herbicide treatments within the trials.
Ensure proper clean-out (triple rinse, use of ammonia) of tank between herbicide applications.
Look for patterns of drift in field. If spray drift present but on areas not to be used as harvest yield, variety plot or trials may still be accepted.
If drift occurs in area to be used as yield test, then that variety strip should be excluded from the trial results. If drift occurs widespread on entire trial, then entire trial will not be approved for data use.
Seed:
The same seed lot must be used for all trial locations, with a seed treatment that it is available to producers.
Allowable seed treatments are to be specified prior to the start of the research program and allowable seed treatments will be negotiated by participating seed companies prior to commencement of the program.
Only varieties that have a mutual Material Transfer Agreement between companies providing and using seed are allowed to participate in the trial. CPT doesn’t want to publish data that has not been given prior permission by variety owners.
General Site Management:
All management aspects must be reasonably identical between plots – fertility, seeding rate, seeding date, spraying, swath timing, and harvest timing.
Site Audits:
Trial locations will be inspected and audited by members of the committee or by the coordinator to ensure quality of data. Audits can be arranged independently by the trial owner, but the CPT coordinator must be informed of date, auditor and audit results must be made available if requested by the CPT committee or coordinator, or as circumstances allow.
Trial Design:
All trials are conducted with 2 replications. Herbicide systems will be blocked to minimize the potential for injury. Trial design TO NOT BE ALTERED without permission.
Trial Map:
Mark the plot area for each variety with visible markers (flags, stakes, etc.) and record GPS co- ordinates of trial location. Indicate on markers the variety in the plot.
Trial area and specific variety area to be marked the day of seeding.
Maps indicating the location of the trial and the arrangement of varieties within the trial to be forwarded to the CPT coordinator after the first company inspection to ensure plot uniformity, plant counts and weed control.
Trial data table to include varieties present, seeding date, cooperator contact, where applicable notes regarding incidents with the trial, any issues that occurred during seeding, and GPS coordinates are due to the CPT Coordinator by July 1st of the growing season.
CCC Crop Production and Innovation team members are allowed to visit (with permission) the sites and potentially take drone images (exclusively for internal and CPT Technical Committee use) of the plots throughout the growing season. GPS coordinates and site coordinator contact information to be provided to CPT coordinator by July 1 each season
Entries:
At least one common check variety supported by the CPT Technical Committee must be incorporated into the entry list of the trial. Additional checks established by the Committee are recommended when comparing varieties from several herbicide tolerant systems or under straight cut management.
Material Transfer Agreements to be made between the companies transferring seed. The CPT program is not responsible for publishing data where permission is not granted by all parties.
Straight-cut entries
Field-scale straight-cut trials are welcome for inclusion in the CPT program.
Straight-cut protocol is identical to the Swath protocol stated above for seeding rate, fertilizer rate, herbicide applications, and fungicide/insecticide applications.
If a desiccant is used, follow product label timings and rates across all entries.
Plot widths are subject to growers seeding equipment and straight cut header width.
Ensure seeded hybrid strips are wider than the straight-cut header that is to be used at harvest
Harvest should start once grain moisture is ~12%, unless weather dictates taking it off at an early maturity.
Harvest the full header width for each strip, in the same area of the drill width for every hybrid.
Participating seed companies to submit their straight-cut protocols and locations by June 1 of each year to the CPT coordinator.
Seeding Rate:
All varieties are to be seeded at a rate to target a final plant stand of 5 – 8 plants per square foot.
Seeding:
All varieties must be planted within 24 hours at a single site.
Fertilizer Rate:
Fertilizer blend and rate should be used in accordance with soil tests and applied at the same rate and method for all plots.
Fertilizer rates should target 55 bu/ac. If for some reason they are not able to meet that target or if it is significantly below the average canola yields for that site, they should report the target yield
Herbicide Applications:
Plant staging of crop and weeds species to be recorded, as well weed spectrum. Herbicide used, herbicide rate, adjuvant/surfactant/spreader all to be recorded. Spraying of all varieties in the trial should occur on the same day. Second applications of herbicides may be applied to control misses, late flushes of weeds, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: The weed control in each plot should reflect the efficacy of the product corresponding herbicide/technology, i.e., Clearfield, Liberty or Roundup. Only rates, reapplication and tank mixes as per herbicide label are allowed. Weed-free situation is not required. Application of additional weed control measures (herbicides or hand weeding) is allowed only under exceptional circumstances (and must be discussed with CPT Coordinator prior to additional applications).
Fungicide/Insecticide Applications:
Apply as needed. Use label directions for application timing, product amounts and water volumes.
Record crop stage, product used, rate, etc. It is preferable to apply product in perpendicular to the direction of seeding (e.g., plots seeded North-South direction, spray across travelling East-West).
Spraying should be considered when a pest or disease reached economic thresholds used by growers. If insects are present, but not at economic threshold levels, make note of pests present.
Swathing:
Swath trials when the plots exhibit >60% seed colour change. Varieties within the trial may need to be swathed on different dates to accurately achieve 60% seed colour change.
Take a full cut down the center of the plot for the full length for each entry in the trial.
Make sure the full Swather pass has been marked.
Harvest:
For swath trials, harvest the trial when seed moisture is <10%. For straight cut trials, harvest can occur when seed is at 12% moisture.
Weigh-wagon:
Ensure weigh-wagon calibrated properly prior to each trial harvest.
Combine:
The same combine must be used to harvest all strips in the trial.
Make sure grower begins harvesting the plots with an empty hopper (prime on surrounding canola and dump) and harvest only the strips as per the swathing protocol.
Measure the exact length and width of area being harvested.
Make sure combine hopper is empty after each variety.
Length of swath should be accounted and adjusted for missing areas due to extenuating circumstances. Areas that are questionable (due to ponding, wildlife damage) should NOT be harvested, but left and strip length adjusted.
Moisture Adjustment: Ensure that a moisture meter is present at harvest to record % seed moisture.
These values will be used to make yield corrections based on this formula:
(%Moisture)* yield / 90 = yield corrected to 10% moisture
Dockage will also be verified by a certified grain analyst and yields will be corrected for dockage.
Yields to be recorded and presented in bu/ac
Information to be recorded
Seeding date and method
Herbicide application information
Dates, products, rate and water volume
Target yield
Fertilize to achieve a target yield of 55 bu/ac. If this is not achievable, or too low for your area, indicate alternative target yield.
Applied fertilizer – fertility rates N-P-K-S only
Environmental information
Fungicide and/or insecticide application information
Maturity
Days from planting to swathing will be based on the majority of the plants in the plot have 60% seed colour change, assessment to be made on all plots.
Lodging resistance
Measured on the degree of lean to the lower stem of the plant on a 1 to 5 scale. Lodging notes recorded at time of swathing.
Height
Representative plants measured for average varietal/entry plot height.
Swathing date
Harvest date and method.
Seed moisture at harvest
Desiccation information (product name and rate, water volume, application date)
For Field Audit Process ONLY:
Companies’ representatives to take and supply the following notes on each variety within the trial. Plots to be assessed again for the following factors (at time of coordinator/committee audit).
Plot uniformity – notes should be taken through the season on the uniformity of each plot. These notes are to record any factors that have reduced plant stand or yield potential.
Weed Density & Control – comment on any issues related to weed spectrum, density and control.
Reasons for Rejecting a Trial or a Site
Below is a list of reasons that a trial or location may be considered invalid. Addition reasons must be discussed with CPT trial coordinator.
Hail – Any hail or adverse events are to be reported to CPT coordinator as soon as possible (allowing for CPT coordinator or designate to assess the site).). If not reported, the site will be rejected. Hail prior to bolting – trial possibly continue, hail at flowering – trial under consideration, hail at podding, is usually discarded.
Obvious high disease or insect pressure. Pressure uneven between strips
Spray drift that cannot be accounted for and affects the test area to be taken for yield Agronomic issues, site selection issues (potholes)
Seeding issues/stand establishment, etc.
Other Acts of God causing significant damage:
Wildlife
Tornado/plough winds
Yields less than 18bu/ac.
Yield CV <15%
Technical Committee has final say whether data is valid and accepted for publication.
Field Scale Canola Variety Trials – Audit Points
2022 Canola Performance Trial Field Scale Trial Independent Inspection Protocol:
Only harvest yields determined with calibrated weigh wagons will be considered for CPT reporting.
Field-scale trials should be declared to CPT Trial Coordinator Prior 1st flower to be considered for publication. Declaration should include site cooperator name, site coordinates (legal land description or GPS coordinates) and participating seed companies and contact information.
All field-scale trials must be audited by an independent qualified agronomist (examples include CCC agronomist, an agronomist with a provincial agrologists designation – MIA, SIA, etc.) in order to be considered for CPT publication. An independent auditor does not include seed company representative.
The official field-scale protocol lists potential factors for consideration for withdrawing a trial. The audit should identify at least one factor if a trial is being withdrawn from the evaluation process. Both the auditor and the Trial Owner should be in agreement that a trial should be withdrawn.
Similarly, both the auditor and the Trial Owner should be in agreement that the field-scale trial data is valid and suitable for inclusion in the CPT publication.
Site Inspection Date:
Site Cooperator Name:
Site Location (Legal Land Description or GPS):
Independent Inspector Name:
Independent Inspector Phone Number:
Seed Company Representative Name:
Seed Company Representative Phone Number:
Site Notes:
As per the field-scale protocol guidelines, is there any reason to exclude publishing the results from this site in the CPT results?
Yes No
Independent Auditor Signature:
Site Cooperator Signature:
APPENDIX
Operational Guidelines for Conducting Field Research
Due to the confirmed presence of clubroot and Verticillium Stripe in Western Canada caution must be taken in all field research to avoid inoculum spread.
The following guidelines are recommended for Canola Performance Trials conducted in Western Canada.
Establishing Field Sites: Contractor should enquire with the grower and local government if soil diseases such as clubroot or verticillium stripe are known or suspected to be present in the field or surrounding area.
Rotation Practices: Discuss with the grower the type of field practices (from rotations, custom field operators, oilfield activities, etc.), which potentially increase the chance of spreading disease, as a part of risk assessment, as well as past crops and weeds history, noting those in the Brassica family are susceptible.
Informed Consent: Inform the grower of the precautionary measures being taken to prevent spread of disease. Enquire with the grower if they require any additional measures and what those should be. Growers should feel encouraged to inspect industry equipment and protocols to be satisfied that there is no risk of contaminating their land. In Saskatchewan, confirm whether or not the RM has a clubroot-specific bylaw in place, which could mandate specific biosecurity or sanitation measures. If tours are to be conducted, then establish clearly what precautions will be implemented, as increased traffic can increase risk of some pathogen or disease introduction and spread (ex. clubroot).
Privacy Protection: Industry personnel should discuss with growers the implications of their privacy policy and corporate responsibility in regard to clubroot findings. Due diligence involves to informing the RM and the Saskatchewan Clubroot Initiative (SK) or County (AB) of the exact location of any clubroot findings, so they can fulfill their obligations under The Pest Control Act (SK) or Agricultural Pests Act (AB). There is no requirement to inform the municipal government in Manitoba as clubroot is not a regulated pest under the Manitoba Plant Pest and Disease Act.
Field Sampling: Fields selected for trials should be sampled prior to planting to determine if clubroot is present. If a susceptible crop is grown, watch for clubroot symptoms. Note that consecutive or tight rotations of susceptible crops, creates a high-risk environment for increasing clubroot if it is introduced to the soil. Land in proximity to the entrance way to the field and/or the plot area should be sampled in a W pattern providing 5 samples, which can be submitted as a composite. Suspicious areas of the field, such as water runs, low spots, areas neighboring known infestations, or old yard sites are higher risk. Sampling canola volunteers/Brassica weeds should ideally be done in the year prior to the trials, if the potential plot location is known.
If detected positive by PCR test or by other identifiable means (infected crops or weeds), these fields will not be utilized for research. Inform the grower, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture or the Saskatchewan Clubroot Initiative the RM (SK) or Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and County (AB) of any clubroot findings, so they can fulfill their obligations under The Pest Control Act (SK).
If clubroot is discovered at the site while the site is in use (e.g., on plants in plots), use of field equipment needs to be minimized, and any such equipment must follow vehicle sanitation procedures. Inform the grower, and appropriate government departments as listed above.
Vehicle Access: Trucks, trailers, etc. should be parked or unloaded off-site. Any fields known to have clubroot infestation will be off-limits to any vehicle access and will be strongly avoided for foot-traffic as well.
Record Keeping: Records should be kept of all fields visited and sanitation procedures followed.