How is Canola produced?
There are two main types of canola grown, the short growing season Polish type (Brassica rapa, a brown/yellow seed) and the longer season Argentine type (Brassica napus, a black seed). Fields are cultivated, seeded, fertilized, and herbicides/pesticides may be applied to control insects, weeds and diseases. Growing canola requires careful management on the part of the farmer as the crop has to be closely monitored in order to make sure it doesn’t become diseased. Seedlings emerge four to ten days after planting. From a taproot, bottom leaves form a rosette, which send up a flower stalk as the plant grows. The flowering stage lasts 14 to 21 days and prairie fields at this time are a sea of brilliant yellow flowers. The flowers of the Polish type canola are fertilized by the wind and the Argentine type is self-fertilized. Bees, visiting the flowers for nectar pollinate the flowers by carrying pollen. Once the flowers are fertilized, pods for which take 35 to 45 days to fill. The field is
