A genotype competition experiment with four reps displayed in a RCBD a well as randomized demonstration plots, with two reps, were carried under no tillage, having soybean as the previous crop, at “Fazenda Pouzinho” located near the town Maracaju, MS, Latitude 21º 78’ 02”, Longitude 55º 23‘ 45”, altitude of 470 m above sea level.

Soil of the experiment area is classified as Red Distroferric Latosol, is derived from basalt, presents 60-70% clay (other parameters presented on Table 1).

Prior to seeding a commercial no-till drill was deployed to place fertilizers in the furrows used for placing the seeds just after. In this operation 100 kg of Urea (46% N) + 100 kg of Ammonium Sulphate (21% N and 24% S) + 100 kg Potassium Chloride (60% KCL) + 100 kg of formulated NPK (10.5-54-00) adding to a total of 77.5 kg of N, 54 kg of P₂O₅ and 60 kg of K₂O and 24 kg of S were applied.

Hand seeding was done on 12 April 2006 and emergence was observed on 20 April. Plots had 4 rows of plants, with row spacing of 0.40 m and 5 m length, making an area of 8 m² (Fig. 1) Demonstration plots, replicated twice, had 5 rows of plants, spaced 0.4 m and were 20 m long totalling 40 m2 each and were located besides the other genotype experiment.

After seeding Clorpirifos (Clorpirifos 480 EC, 800 mL/ha) was sprayed to control caterpillars. On 12 June, the insecticide Clorpirifos (Clorpirifós 480 EC, 100 mL/ha) + Metomil (Lannate 215 SL, 500 mL/ha) were applied also for the control of caterpillars.

Grain yield was estimated based on the harvest of the two central rows of plants with 4 m length (3.2 m²). On the demonstration plots the mean of two sub-samples of 3.2 m² were used to estimate grain yield. Harvest was done by hand and plants were left in bags for drying up to about 10% moisture and then threshed with a plot threshing machine. Grain samples were cleaned using a set of sieves.

Phenological observations were made based on criteria adopted in Canada and Australia¹, as follows. Emergence date: day at which 50% of the seedlings of the plot emerged. Beginning of flowering: day at which 50% of the plants present at least one flower. End of flowering: day when there are no more flowers, except on off type plants. Plant height: average plant height up to the upper extreme of the branches with pods. Maturation date: day at which 50% of the seeds have their colour turning to dark on the pods situated on the central part of the raceme of the plants. A subjective assessment of the level of drought stress was made based on the visual aspect of plants with grades ranging from 1= very drought stressed aspect to 9=no stress (normal looking plants).

Rainfall from seeding to harvest added to only 95 mm (Table 2) and long periods with no rain were observed during the experiment. To provide an idea about the usual rainfall in that region, at the “Núcleo Experimental of Fundação MS, in Maracaju, MS, the average rainfall from March to July in the years 1995 to 2004 was 309 mm with the following distribution: March, 14 mm; April, 105 mm; May, 82 mm; June, 70 mm; and, in July, 38 mm (Fundação MS, 2005).

Commercial canola fields were established after a training meeting for technical personnel and farmers. A total de 3224 hectares were sown in the municipality of Maracaju by the fourth author, with technical assistance of the third author. Twelve canola fields were sown in the municipalities of Maracaju and Sidrolândia with the technical assistance of the second author. Characteristics, management and other details of each field are present on Table 3.