Diagnosing heat stress in canola

Hot weather at flowering can cause flower and developing pod abortion (called 'tipping'). Water deficient plants are more susceptible.

Sterile flowers that lead to pod abortion
Aborted and incompletely filled pods

What to look for

    Plant

  • Flower and pod abortion or incompletely filled pods on sections of the flowering spike.

What else could it be

Condition Similarities Differences
Diagnosing spring drought in canola Tipping Drought makes plants more susceptible to heat stress, but it can occur when soil moisture is not limiting
Diagnosing frost damage in canola Tipping Frost is a contrasting weather event that is easily distinguished from heat stress
Page last updated: Tuesday, 20 January 2015 - 10:42am