Diagnosing calcium deficiency in canola

Calcium deficiency ('wither top' or 'tipple topple') is occasionally seen in canola at stem extension. However  its incidence is patchy within a paddock, and the plant often recovers, so it is considered to be of little economic significance.

 

Flowering stalk collapse causes withering and death of the flowering head
Severe deficiency could cause leaf symptoms but these have not been seen in WA

What to look for

    Paddock

  • Withered flowering heads that tends to be worse on shallow acidic soils such as shallow gravels, and in wetter areas with high rainfall spring weather.

    Plant

  • The flowering stalk collapses causing withering and death of the flowering head.
  • Side branches often develop normally when soil moisture condition returns.
  • Some varieties appear to be more susceptible than others.
Source URL: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/mycrop/diagnosing-calcium-deficiency-canola
This print version was generated at 4:45pm on the 10th of May, 2025.
The original document was last revised at Fri, 20/06/2014 - 1:23pm

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The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.