Contact:
James Holden
0408 669 026

29-Apr-06

Canola hybrids - the second generation is not the same as the first

Agricultural producers in Australia tend to be rapid adopters of new technology to enhance their profitability, which is evident by the strong interest shown in new canola hybrids.

“The science to hybridise canola heralds the next generation for genetic improvement in Australia’s major oilseed crop,” says Kevin Morthorpe, canola product manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia.

Hybrid canola seed is the result of controlled cross-pollination of male and female inbred parents during the production process. The resulting seed, or F1 generation, exhibits a marked improvement in performance (of 15 to 30 percent) over either parent. This is commonly referred to as hybrid vigour. Hybrids have 30-50 percent larger seed than from open-pollinated varieties and that leads to a significant boost in early vigour for crop establishment.

However, the hybrid vigour is lost in the F2 generation where harvested grain is sown. Independent industry studies in Canada have demonstrated average yield losses of 16-47 percent in 25 comparisons from F2 seed compared to hybrid seed. This well exceeds any potential cost savings from using F2 grain as seed.

Other important considerations are that due to segregation: a percentage of F2 plants will have sterile flowers, may be susceptible to diseases or herbicide damage, and/or show less uniform maturity, resulting in harvest problems from immature green seed or shattering losses from over-mature pods.

Additionally, since the F2 generation is not the hybrid, it is not registered by the hybrid name. This means it may not meet the definition of canola for grain delivery, the F2 crop does not consistently perform and the seed/chemical companies will not back up herbicide tolerance or use of registered herbicide on the F2 crop.

“The bottom line is that hybrids can reduce yield variability from open-pollinated varieties and canola can regain a competitive position in yield and profitability on the farm,” said Mr Morthorpe.

ENDS