Category Archives: Biofuels

Camelina: Adaptation and performance of genotypes

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Here’s a new article on the adaptation and performance of camelina that will be published soon in Field Crops Research.  Camelina is a Brassica family oil seed crop that has demonstrated potential for production in the Pacific Northwest and is thought to have a place as a rotation crop for small-grain cereals and grass seed crops.  This work was led by Stephen Guy at Washington State University, a member of our research team.

Several key findings from the work include:

  • Planting camelina in the spring produced higher seed yields than planting in the fall.
  • Seed yields ranged up to 2948 lbs/acre across the four study sites.
  • With increasing seed yield, oil content of the seed was reduced.

Click on the citation below to go to the article:

Guy, S.O., D.J. Wysocki, W.F. Schillinger, T.G. Chastain, R.S. Karow, K. Garland-Campbell, and I.C. Burke.  2014.  Camelina: adaptation and performance of genotypes.  Field Crops Research 155:224-232.

 

Sinapis alba: A potenial oilseed rotation crop for the Willamette Valley

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Willamette Valley agriculturalists need rotation crops, especially on soils that have few alternatives.  The well-publicized conflict over canola is one manifestation of this unmet need for crops that diversify cropping enterprises.  Sinapis alba, known by the common names yellow or white mustard, is a potential oilseed feedstock crop that will not cross with Brassica spp. vegetable crops.  Other cultivated mustards are members of the genus Brassica and will cross with Brassica spp. vegetables or canola.  Because of this distinction, S.alba is not regulated by current ODA administrative rules nor by proposed Oregon legislation.

Here’s my handout from the Hyslop Farm Field Day with more information about this oilseed crop:

Sinapis alba 2013 Field Day

 

Camelina: Seed yield response to applied nitrogen and sulfur

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Here’s a new article on nitrogen and sulfur nutrient management in camelina that has been published in Field Crops Research.  Camelina is a Brassica family oil seed crop that has demonstrated potential for production in the Pacific Northwest.  This work was led by Don Wysocki, OSU Extension Specialist located at Pendleton Oregon.

The study shows that camelina seed yield ranged widely across the four study sites in the Pacific Northwest due to differences in annual precipitation and soil available N.  Applied N increased the seed yield of camelina at all sites except the very low rainfall Lind Washington site.  The study was the first to show that oil content in the seed of camelina was not influenced by applied N and to report nitrogen use efficiency values for the crop.  Seed yield was also not affected by applied sulfur.

Click on the citation below to go to the article:

Wysocki, D.J., T.G. Chastain, W.F. Schillinger, S.O. Guy, and R.S. Karow.  2013.  Camelina: seed yield response to applied nitrogen and sulfur.  Field Crops Research 145:60-66.

Limited canola production to be allowed in the Willamette Valley

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Thomas G. Chastain

A resolution to the long-disputed prohibition of canola production in the Willamette Valley is near with the announcement that a temporary rule is set to go in effect on August 10th.  The Oregon Department of Agriculture has determined that canola production will be allowed in specified portions of the Willamette Valley.  A permanent administrative rule governing canola production in the region is expected to be in place prior to the expiration of the temporary rule.

Winter canola flowers and buds (T.G. Chastain photo)

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Oilseed Field Day at the University of Idaho

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The University of Idaho’s Brassica Breeding and Research Program put on an excellent field day on July 10th at the University’s Parker Farm outside of Moscow Idaho.  Featured were several presentations by Dr. Jack Brown, leader of the program and plant breeder, and other members of the University of Idaho and Oregon State University faculty working on oilseed crops, including our own Dr. Don Wysocki.

Jim Davis and Jack Brown of the University of Idaho talk about winter canola cultivar performance at the field day. (T.G. Chastain photo)

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Camelina seed yield: effects of planting date and method

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Here’s a new article on camelina that my group has published in Field Crops Research.  Camelina is a Brassica family oil seed crop that has demonstrated some potential in the Pacific Northwest.  Click on the citation below to go to the article:

Schillinger, W.F., D.J. Wysocki, T.G. Chastain, S.O. Guy, and R.S. Karow.  2012.  Camelina: planting date and method effects on stand establishment and seed yield.  Field Crops Research 130:138-144.

Camelina pods nearing maturity. (T.G. Chastain photo)