A serious concern for canola producers is the rapid decline of canola stands during late winter and early spring. The problem is so severe in some fields that near complete crop failure occurs.
Affected plants develop moderate to extensive crown and root deterioration.
Severely affected plants often die prior to or following bolting in the spring. Less severely affected plants may appear to be normal, but eventually lodge due to stem weakening in the crown area. For lack of a better term, this malady of canola is called winter decline syndrome. The exact cause of winter decline syndrome is unknown. The current thinking is that physical factors cause initial plant damage.