Oilseeds, such as canola, are recognized as rotational crops that can benefit the agro-ecological and social-ecological systems within the traditional wheat-based cropping region of the inland Northwest Pacific.

Although farmers can continue to use wheat-based farm equipment, management practices need to be adjusted specifically to canola physiology and morphology to optimize yield and quality.

A recently published article, Physiology Matters: Adjusting Wheat-Based Management Strategies for Oilseed Production, compares the physiological and morphological characteristics between wheat and oilseeds. Characteristics studied included the differences in seed size, shoot meristem, cold tolerance, and above and below ground morphology.

Based on these differences, the article provides recommendations for modifying wheat management strategies, for example, planting date and fertility management, for canola production.

For questions or comments, contact Dr. William Pan at wlpan@wsu.edu or Karen Sowers at ksowers@wsu.edu.