Canola Varieties 2009
Note Number: AG1349
Published: May 2008
Updated: May 2009
Choice of crop variety is a key element of success of any field cropping activity. Canola varieties are classified into types that offer unique herbicide resistances as well as a range of yield, quality and disease resistance or tolerance. The following is a brief comparison of the key attributes of most varieties available for sowing in Victoria in 2009.
Introduction
As well as being profitable in its own right, canola can increase returns from cropping systems through the benefits it brings as a break crop.
New hybrid canola varieties are beginning to show their potential in Australia. In Canada, hybrids now produce significantly higher yields than open-pollinated varieties. In the past in Australia inadequate blackleg resistance limited the impact of hybrid canola. However recent releases have higher yield potential which may be the result of hybrid vigour or improved blackleg resistance. Currently, several of the highest yielding conventional and Clearfield varieties are hybrids. The future will see more hybrid varieties on the market.
Growers now also have available new speciality canola varieties which produce oils that are more stable at higher cooking temperatures while maintaining very low levels of saturated fats and no trans fats. The opening of a major new global market is anticipated for specialty canola to meet the expected growth in demand for healthier oils.
Specialty varieties traditionally have a yield penalty but some newer Australian developed varieties yield comparably with the leading conventional or Clearfield varieties. Developed by Nuseed and the Victorian DPI and Cargill, new specialty varieties seek to incorporate higher yields, herbicide tolerance, high blackleg resistance and consistent quality performance.
The first Brassica juncea (mustard) variety with canola oil and meal quality was released in 2007 and juncea canola has become more widely available to growers with the release of two Clearfield varieties. Traditional canola is Brassica napus. The new canola quality Brassica juncea varieties exhibit major changes to both meal and oil quality compared with traditional table mustard through the breeding efforts of the Victorian DPI and Viterra (Canada), partly funded by GRDC. Juncea canola has been developed for low rainfall areas with attributes including faster ground covering ability, better heat and drought tolerance and shatter tolerance. Thus it does not need windrowing, which is a major benefit. It can also be a spring sowing option in the high rainfall areas of southern Victorian. Future breeding priorities include further development of herbicide tolerant varieties with high yield, improved quality, good blackleg resistance and good adaptation.
GM canola varieties were commercially available to Victorian growers for the first time in 2008. Some of the benefits for growers and the industry include cleaner paddocks and in many cases lower weed control costs, more options for managing herbicide resistant weeds, safe chemicals and the potential for increased grain yields. It fits in well with no-till farming systems. Clearfield and TT canola still have a place in Australia to allow for rotation of herbicide groups.
Variety descriptions
a denotes Plant Breeders Rights apply
Blackleg ratings below are for 2009, and the legend for the annotations is VS = Very Susceptible, S = Susceptible, MS = Moderately Susceptible, MR = Moderately Resistant and R = Resistant. Reduced resistance indicates that at one or more sites this variety had lower resistance than previously reported and provisional rating means there is insufficient data to meet National Blackleg Rating protocols, so growers should be cautious until sufficient data are available.
Conventional varieties
Conventional AVGARNET a
Mid maturing, very high yielding variety. Medium height. Nuseed indicate very high oil content. Very good blackleg resistance, with a rating of MR. Bred by Vic. DPI. Tested as RT125 and released in 2007. Marketed by Nuseed.
Conventional AVJADE a
An early to mid maturing variety with very good blackleg resistance of MR. Yield and oil content similar to AVSapphire. Nuseed indicate excellent vigour and yield. Bred by Vic. DPI. Tested as RR013 and registered in 2006. Marketed by Nuseed.
Conventional AGMUSTER a
An early maturing variety bred as an AG Outback replacement with a blackleg resistance rating of MS. It has good oil content and due to not being completely determinate in flowering can either finish early in dry conditions or capitalise on a soft finish. Bred by Nuseed. Tested as AGC 323 and released in 2007. Marketed by Crop Care Seed Technologies.
Conventional TARCOOLA a
Early maturing variety, suited to 250-400 mm rainfall zone. Blackleg resistance rating of MR-MS. Nuseed indicate very high oil for an early maturing variety. Bred by NSW DPI and SARDI. Tested as BLN2026*SL902 and released in 2007. Marketed by Nuseed.
Hybrid conventional HYOLA 50
An early-mid maturing hybrid with excellent blackleg resistance rating of R. Suits medium rainfall areas, has manageable height, good standability, exceptional yield potential and has excellent vigour. Bred by Canola Breeders International and Pacific Seeds. Tested as CBI4403 and registered in 2007. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Hybrid conventional HYOLA 76
Mid maturing hybrid with exceptional early vigour and an excellent blackleg resistance of R. Pacific Seeds indicate very high oil content. More suited to medium to higher rainfall regions. Bred by Canola Breeders International and Pacific Seeds. Tested as CBI6654 and released in 2008. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Conventionally specialty varieties
Specialty oils - MonolaNM130CC a
Medium maturity, similar to AV-Sapphire. High yielding, very high oil and moderate protein content. Moderate to high content of oleic acid, low level of linolenic acid. Blackleg rating R-MR(reduced resistance). Developed by Nutrihealth Pty Ltd, First tested in NVT in 2005 as NMC130. Will be grown under contract to Nuseed Crop Network.
Hybrid specialty oils V3001
Early to mid maturing specialty hybrid. Good blackleg resistance and yield potential and has performed well in 2007 NVT trials. Developed by Cargill and Vic. DPI. Tested as 06H932 and released in 2009. V3001 will be grown under contract production for Cargill.
Hybrid specialty oils V3002
Mid maturing specialty hybrid. Good blackleg resistance and yield potential. Developed by Cargill and Vic DPI. Tested as 06H939 with limited release in 2009. V3002 will be grown under contract production for Cargill.
Conventional juncea canola varieties
Juncea canola DUNE a
The first of the new low-rainfall Juncea canola varieties released in Australia. Suited to areas with rainfall below 350mm, Pacific Seeds indicate that Dune has high oil and protein content with yield comparable to other short season canola varieties. Yellow seed coat. Excellent pod shatter resistance allows for direct heading. Excellent blackleg resistance of R offers good protection. Bred by Vic. DPI and Viterra. Tested as JR055 and released in 2007. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Herbicide tolerant
Clearfield Hyola 571CL a
Early to mid maturing hybrid with similar maturity to 45Y77. Pacific Seeds indicate early vigour with good oil and yield potential. Blackleg resistance rating of R (provisional). Bred by Pacific Seeds. Tested as K9209 and released in 2009. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Clearfield - PIONEER 43C80 a
Early maturing variety which Pioneer indicate has good early vigour, high yield potential and moderate oil content. Suited to low rainfall areas and as a potential late sowing option in medium-high rainfall areas. Blackleg resistance rating MS (provisional). Bred by Pioneer Hi-bred Australia. Tested as NS6108BI and released in 2009. Marketed by Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia.
Clearfield - PIONEER 44C79 a
Early to early-mid maturing variety. Pioneer indicate exceptional early vigour and higher oil content than 44C73. Blackleg resistance rating of MR-MS (provisional). Will replace 44C73 in 2009 and extend growing zone into northern Wimmera districts. Bred by Pionerr Hi-Bred Australia. Tested as NS6082BI and released in 2008. Marketed by Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia.
Clearfield - PIONEER 46Y81 a
Mid season hybrid with intermediate maturity between 45Y77 and 46Y78. Pioneer indicates exceptional early vigour with high yield potential and high oil content. Blackleg resistance rating R-MR. Bred by Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia. Tested as NS05N2891 with limited seed in 2009. Marketed by Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia.
Hybrid Clearfield - PIONEER 45Y77 a
First imidazolinone tolerant hybrid in Australia. Early-mid maturity suited to medium to high rainfall areas. Large seed with high yield and oil content and a blackleg rating of MR. Bred by Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia. Tested as 03N734I and released in 2007. Marketed by Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia.
Hybrid Clearfield - PIONEER 46Y78 a
Mid season maturity hybrid suited to high rainfall areas. Excellent early vigour and large robust plant for higher hay and grain yields. Very high oil content with a blackleg rating of MR. Bred by Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia. Tested as 03N733I and released in 2007. Marketed by Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia.
Clearfield juncea canola varieties
Clearfield juncea canola - Oasis CL a
First herbicide tolerant low-rainfall juncea canola variety in Australia. Suited to areas with rainfall below 350mm. Pacific Seeds indicate this mid maturing variety has good protein, oil content and unique disease resistance to blackleg, rated R (provisional). Excellent pod shatter resistance allows for direct heading. Seed quality as good as or slightly better than Dune. Bred by DPI. Vic and Viterra. Tested as J05Z-8920 with limited release in 2009. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Clearfield juncea canola SAHARA CL a
Early maturing juncea canola with exceptional vigour. Bred by Vic. DPI and Viterra (Canada). Tested as J05Z-08960 and released in 2009. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Triazine tolerant varieties
Triazine tolerant ATR409 a
A true mid season variety suited to medium to high rainfall areas. Crop Care indicate the variety is high yielding in these environments. Medium to tall variety displaying a prostrate growth habit in earlier growth stages. A blackleg rating of MR. Bred by Nuseed and Vic. DPI. Tested as ATR 409 and released in 2008. Marketed by Crop Care Seed Technologies.
Triazine tolerant ATRBANJO a
An early season TT variety of Stubby maturity with good blackleg resistance rating of MS. Good yields and very high oil content. Not a completely determinant variety and provides good sowing flexibility. Bred by Vic. DPI and Nuseed. Tested as AGT346, registered 2005 and released in 2007. Marketed by Crop Care Seed Technologies.
Triazine tolerant ATRBARRA a
A mid to mid-late maturing variety with a good blackleg resistance rating of MR-MS, medium plant height and suited to the 400+ mm rainfall zone. Nuseed indicate high oil and vigour. Bred by SARDI, Nuseed and Vic. DPI in association with GRDC. Tested as TN4*207 and released in 2007. Marketed by Nuseed.
Triazine tolerant ATRCOBBLER a
Early to early-mid maturing. Nuseed indicate the variety to be very high yielding across many sites. Medium-short height. Provisional blackleg rating of MS. Developed by Nugrain. Tested as NMT040 and released in 2008. Marketed by Nuseed.
Triazine tolerant CBBOOMER a
An early mid maturing variety with a blackleg rating of MS-S (reduced resistance). Large seed size promotes early vigour. Bred by Canola Breeders WA. Tested as CBTT-026 and registered in 2005. Marketed by ABB Seeds.
Triazine tolerant BRAVO TT a
Mid maturing TT variety, maturity similar to ATRBeacon. Moderate oil and high protein content. Plant Tech indicate consistent performance in NVT trials. Blackleg rating MR-MS (reduced resistance). Bred by the Canola Alliance (Nugrain/NSW DPI). Tested as BLN2893TT and registered in 2005. Marketed by PlantTech Pty Ltd.
Triazine tolerant FLINDERS TTC a
Mid to late season variety of Grace maturity suited to high rainfall areas and potentially suited to irrigation. Crop Care indicate the variety is high yielding with good vigour and oil content. Medium to tall with a blackleg rating of MR-MS (reduced resistance). Bred by Vic. DPI and Nuseed. Tested as ATR-438 and released in 2008. Marketed by Crop Care Seed Technologies.
Triazine tolerant HURRICANE TT a
Early-mid maturing variety, slightly earlier than Bravo TT. Pacific Seeds indicate good yield, oil and protein content. Shorter plant type and compact (lower bulk material) for swathing and harvesting. Ideally fits low to medium rainfall areas, exhibits good vigour. Blackleg rating MR. Bred by Pacific Seeds. Tested as PacT2202 and released in 2008. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Triazine tolerant ATRMARLIN a
Mid to mid-late maturing. Medium height. Nuseed indicate high yield and oil content. Very good blackleg resistance with blackleg rating MR (reduced resistance). Bred by Vic. DPI and Nuseed. Tested as ATR-423 and released in 2008. Marketed by Nuseed.
Triazine tolerant ROTTNEST TTC a
Early to mid maturing. Crop Care indicate high yield and good vigour similar to Bravo TT. Medium height with good uniformity and shatter resistance and a blackleg rating of MR. Provides sowing date flexibility due to its non-determinate maturity. Bred by Nuseed and Vic. DPI. Released in 2008. Marketed by Crop Care Seed Technologies.
Triazine tolerant STORM TT a
Mid maturing variety, comparable to Tornado TT. Pacific Seeds indicate good vigour, yield and oil with moderate protein. Blackleg rating MR. Bred by Pacific Seeds. Tested as PacT2203 and released in 2008. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Triazine tolerant CBTANAMI a
Early season maturity variety adapted to low rainfall cropping zones of southern Australia. Early vigour and tolerance of low rainfall aids establishment in tough seasons. Good yields in low rainfall seasons and oil content similar to ATR-Stubby. Blackleg rating of MS-S (reduced resistance). Bred by Canola Breeders WA. Tested as CBTT-61 and released in 2007. Marketed by ABB Seeds.
Triazine tolerant CBARGYLE a
Mid season variety with high oil and moderate protein content. Blackleg rating of MR (reduced resistance). Bred by CBWA and released in 2008. Marketed by ABB Seeds.
Triazine tolerant TAWRIFFIC TT a
A mid-early maturing variety bred as a replacement for Bravo TT. Blackleg resistance of MR. Medium in height. Consistent performer. Developed by the Canola Alliance (NSW DPI and Nugrain). Tested as BLN3697TT and released in 2009. Marketed by Crop Care Seed Technologies.
Triazine tolerant THUNDER TT a
A mid to late season TT variety suited to medium to high rainfall zones. Thunder has a Grace-type maturity with a blackleg resistance rating MR-MS (reduced resistance). Bred by Pacific Seeds. Tested as T2062 and registered in 2004. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Triazine tolerant TORNADO TT a
A mid season triazine tolerant variety, with similar maturity to ATRBeacon, which has performed well in the field. It has a good blackleg rating of MR. Bred by Pacific Seeds. Registered 2004. Tested as T2015 and registered in 2004. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Triazine tolerant specialty varieties
Specialty oils MONOLA77 TT a
A mid-season variety of medium height suitable for production in most regions and blackleg rating R (provisional). High oil content well suited to deep frying applications. Developed by Nuseed Pty Ltd, Tested as NL045. Will be grown under contract to Nuseed Crop Network.
Roundup Ready varieties
Roundup Ready - GT61.
Early-mid maturing variety. Blackleg rating of R (provisional). Bred by Nuseed. Tested as GT61 and available for limited released in 2008. Marketed by Nuseed.
Roundup Ready Hyola 502RR a
An early to mid maturing hybrid suited to low-medium rainfall areas. Pacific Seeds indicate manageable height, good standability and moderate oil content with exceptional hybrid vigour and yield potential. Blackleg resistance rating R (provisional). Bred by Pacific Seeds. Tested as M8032 RR and released in 2008. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Roundup Ready Hyola 601RR a
Mid maturing hybrid suited to medium to high rainfall areas. Pacific Seeds indicate exceptional hybrid vigour and high yield potential with limited testing indicating good standability, height and oil potential. Blackleg rating of R (provisional). Bred by Pacific Seeds. Tested as M8265 RR and released in 2008. Marketed by Pacific Seeds.
Hybrid Roundup Ready - PIONEER 46Y20 a
Mid to mid-late maturing hybrid suited to reliable medium to high rainfall areas. Blackleg rating of R (provisional), very high yield potential and oil content. Bred by Pacific Seeds. Tested as Z03N741R with limited release in 2008. Marketed by Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia.
Acknowledgements
Drafted in May 2008 by Felicity Pritchard, Oilseeds Industry Development Officer (Pritchard Agricultural Consulting and Extension) and Chris Bluett, DPI Ballarat, based on the Victorian Winter Crop Summary. Reviewed and updated by those authors in April 2009.
