Sclerotinia stem rot is identified by premature death of the plant. Avoiding excessive nitrogen applications and rotating with crops that are not hosts to sclerotinia help reduce this disease. Control of these diseases can be enhanced by planting certified seed and establishing a crop rotation. Continuously planting canola on the same land is not recommended. Winter canola generally matures at about the same time as winter wheat, typically in late June or early July.
Canola matures from the bottom pods to the top of the plant.
Although this process is not uniform, it occurs quickly. Therefore, timing is very important to prevent shattering and to minimize the number of green seeds and dockage at the elevator. The moisture content and the color of seeds and stems can be used to determine when the crop is ready. Most modern moisture testers can be used to determine the moisture content of canola. If the moisture is greater than 10 percent, harvest should be delayed.