Index | Search | Home | Table of Contents Putnam, D.H., J.T. Budin, L.A. Field, and W.M. Breene. 1993. Camelina: A promising low-input oilseed. p. 314-322. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.), New crops. Wiley, New York. 

# Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilseed D.H. Putnam, J.T. Budin, L. A. Field, and W.M. Breene

1. DESCRIPTION & ADAPTATION 2. AGRICULTURAL HISTORY 3. UNIQUE AGRONO MIC QUALITIES 1. Yield Potential 2. Winter Seeding 3. Compatibility with Cover Crops 4. Fertilizer and Water Needs, Insects and Diseases 5. Weed Control 4. UTILIZATION 1. Seed Composition, Oil Cont ent and Meal Quality 2. Fatty Acid Composition and Use of the Oil 5. SUITABILITY FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE 6. REFERENCES 7. Table 1 8. Table 2 9. Table 3 10. Table 4 11. Table 5 12. Table 6 13. Fig. 1 14. Fig. 2
The production of edible oil from cr ops has enjoyed unremitting growth during the latter part of the 20th century. In a six year period in the 1980s, a 26% in crease in production of oils from ten oilseeds was realized. Much of this growth has been in tropical oils (oil palm, Elaeis guinensisL.) or high quality (low saturated fat) edible oils such as soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.], canola (Brassica napus L.), and sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.). This trend shows no signs of re lenting. The demand for edible oils is increasing most in the heavily populated regions of South Asia, China, and the Far East, where vegetable oils are an important part of the diet, but demand for meal and oil is also high in the European and American markets and the Comm onwealth of Independent States. The development of soybean, sunflower, and canola, th e three most significant edible oils for temperate climates, represent important ne w crop successes (Robinson 1973; Hymowitz 1990; Downey 1990). It is likely that these crops will continue to expand inhectarage, given increasing demand for high quality edible oils and meals, the wide adaptation of th ese crops, and new, improved cultivars. However, each of these major oilseeds has its li mitations. For example, soybean, t hough ideal for most regions of the corn belt, is not well adapted to more northerl y re g ions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Canola and Page 1 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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...sunflower are better adapted to northern climates but have high nitrogen requirements (especially canola), and are susceptible to insect or bird predation as well as diseases. These oilseed crops are not often suitable to marginal lands (low moisture, low fertility, or sali ne soils). In recent years, there has been increasing interest in developing agronomic systems with low requirements for fertilizer, p esticides, and energy, and which provide better soil erosion contro l than conventional systems (NRC 1989). This led us to examine the viability of deve loping camelina as an oi lseed with reduced input requirements and as a crop well su ited to marginal soils, or soil- and resource-conserving agronomic p ractices. 

## DESCRIPTION & ADAPTATION
Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz., Brassicaceae (falseflax, linseed dodder, or gold-of-pleasure) originated in the Mediterranean to Central Asia. It is an annual or winter annual that attains heights of 30 to 90 cm tall ( Fig. 1 ) and has branched smooth or hairy stems thatbecome woody at maturity. Leaves are arrowshaped, sharp-pointed, 5 to 8 cm lo ng with smooth edges. It produces pr olific small, pale yellow or greenish-yellow flowers with 4 petals. Seed pods are 6 to 14 mm long and superficially resemble the bolls of flax. Seeds are small (0.7 mm x 1.5 mm), pale ye llow-brown, oblong, rough, with a ridged surface. Morphology and distributi on of camelina species has been described by Polish and Russian botanists (Mirek 1981). Camelina has been shown to be allelopathic (Grummer 1961; Lovett and Duffield 1981). Camelina is listed as being adapted to the flax -growing regions of the northern Midwest (Minnesota, N orth Dakota, South Dakota) (NC-121 1981). It is primarily a minor weed inflax and not often a p roblem in other crops and does not have seed dormancy (Robinson 1987). Howe ver, the adaptation of camelina as a crop has not been widely explored. Simi lar to the other Cruciferous species, it is likely b est adapted to cooler climates wh ere excessive heat durin g flowering is not important. There are several winter annual biotypes availa ble in the germplasm, and it is possi ble that camelina could be grown as a winter crop in areas with very mild winters. Camelinais short-seasoned (85 to 100 d) so that it could be incorporated into double cropping systems during cool periods of growth, possibly in more tropical environments. 

## AGRICULTURAL HISTORY Although camelina is known in North America primarily as a weed, it was known as "gold of pleasure" to ancient European agriculturists . Cultivation probably began in Neolithic times, and by the Iron Age in Europe when the number of crop plants approximate ly doubled, camelina was commonly used as an oilsupplying plant (Knorzer 1978). Cultivation, as evid enced from carbonized se ed, has been shown to occur in regions surrounding the North Sea during th e Bronze Age. Camelina monocultures occurred in the Rhine River Valley as early as 600 BC Camelina probably spread in mixtures with flax and as monocultures, similarly to small grains, which also often spread as crop mixtures. It was cultivated in antiquity from Rome to southeastern Europe and the Southwestern Asian steppes (Knorzer 1978). Camelina declined as a crop duri ng medieval times due to unknown factors, but continued to coevolve as a weed with flax, which probably accounts for it s introduction to the Americas. Like rapeseed oil, camelina oil has been used as an industrial oil after the industrial revolution. The seeds have been fed to caged birds, and the straw used for fiber. There havebeen scattered hectarages in Europe in modern times, mostly in Germany, Poland, and the USSR , and some efforts were made in the 1980s at germplasm screening and plan t breeding (Enge and Olsson 1986; Seehuber and Dambroth 1983; Seehuber and Dambroth 1984: Kartamyshev 1985). Camelina has been evaluated to some extent in Canada (Downe y 1971) and to a lar g er extent in Minnesota where R.G. Robinson conducted a g ronomic Page 2 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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...studies on camelina (Robins on 1987). However, there has been relatively little research conducted on this crop worldwide, and its full agronomic and breeding potential remain s largely unexplored. 

## UNIQUE AGRONOMIC QUALITIES
Yield Potential
Field studies on camelina have been conducted at the University of Minnesota for over 30 years (Robinson 1987). In one 9-year/location yield comparison, camelina was shown to have a yield potential similar to that of many other Cruciferae ( Table 1 ), but it differed in seed size, maturity, lodging resistance, and oil percentage. Yields of camelina cultivars ( Table 2 ) have been in the 600 to 1,700 kg/ha range at Rosemount, Minnesota (45° N latitude), averaging about 1,100 to 1,200 kg/ha over many years of trials. It should be noted that the yi eld of many of these oilseeds (especially B. napus ) has been improved significantly through plant breeding and improved agronomic practices, whereas camelina has largely not had the benefit of pl ant breeding. Under Minnesota conditi ons, yields of all spring-sown cruciferous oilseeds are much higher at more northerly locations (1,736 kg/ha l ong term average canola yield--Roseau, Minnesota), compared with yields at Rosemount, which is located near St. Paul. Camelina is much smaller seeded and earlier maturing than the other cruciferae tested. Lodging was comparable to or fact slightly s uperior to the other cruciferae oilsee ds tested (Table 1), and there was significant variation for lodging am ong camelina varieties (Table 2). Some variation in camelina maturity, lodging resistance, seed weight, and oil percentage was exhibited by the lines tested and by other germplasm screening not reported here , but many of these lines were similar in yield at Rosemount (Table 2). Certainly increases in yield might be generated through plant breeding. German plant breeders using the single-s eed descent method, have found transgressions over p arental lines in many yield traits for camelina, dem onstrating both the high yi eld potential and capacity for yield improvement in this species (Seehuber et al. 1987). This experience indicates that camelina, unlike some wild species undergoing domestication, exhibits yield potential and oil content which are both currently agronomically ac ceptable and amenable to improvement through plant breeding. 

### Winter Seeding The practice of broadcasting camelin a seed on frozen ground in late N ovember or earl y December has been tested over a number of years at Rosem ount, and the practice appears to be viable ( Table 3 ). In one four-year study, crops were sown with standard farmmachinery on large plots. Camelina was sown in late fall on stubble, without see dbed preparation or herbicides, or conventionally in the spring and compared with flax sown conventionally and sprayed with herbicides (dalapon and MCPA). Performance of winter-sown cameli na was equal or superior to c onventionally-sown flax in these studies. To confirm these results, a separate two-year study was conducte d where camelina and flax were surface-seeded by hand in both winter and spring on tilled or stubbl e ground, broadcast or by machine without herbicides ( Table 4 ). In 1990-91, surface seeding in winterwas unsuccessful with flax, but was successful with camelina, producing significantlyearlier emergence and fewer weed problems. However, in the 1989-90 study, the winter seeding was unsuccessful for both crops, probably due to an open winter. Surface seedi ng of camelina seemed to work better under no-till conditions, possibly due to superior microsite protec tion for the small seed and seedling, an d prevention of wind dispersion of the seed. Machine planting was no better than broad casting in the spring sowi ngs. Machine planting in December was not feasible. A winter-sown stand of camelina emerge s mid-April in Minnesota, before most other sprin g -sown crops, and before si g nificant weed flushes. Page 3 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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...These trials showed that camelina sown without herbic ide or tillage yielded as well or better than flax grown conventionally. These studies also showed that camelina, unlike flax, can be surface-sown on frozen ground in the late fall or wi nter or early spring and produce good stands and yields comparable to conventionally-sown Cruciferae crops. 

### Compatibility withCover Crops In a three-year study, winter-sown camelina yielded an aver age of 9% more when seeded with a fallsown cover crop than without ( Table 5 ). In this and in subsequent studies (Robinson 1987), camelina has produced better stands, weed c ontrol, and yields when planted in the winter with a cover crop compared with seeding after conventional tillage inthe spring or surface seeding on bare ground in the fall. These data indicate that camelina is highly comp atible with cover crops used for fall and early spring soil erosion control. 

### Fertilizer and Water Needs, Insects and Diseases The soil fertility needs of camelina are likely simila r to those of other crucifers with the same yield p otential. Camelina has been shown to respond to ni trogen similarly to mustar d or flax (Robinson 1987). Bramm et al. (1990) found that camelina was better able to compensate for early water deficits than flax or poppy. This drought-avoidance characteristic might make came lina better suited to drier regions than other oilseeds. Downy mildew ( Peronospora camelinae ), a white or gray mold on th e upper part of the stem is sometimes observed in camelina (Robinson 1987). Tran smission of Turnip Ye llow Mosaic virus by camelina seed has been reported (Hein 1984). Howe ver, camelina has been reported to be highly resistant to blackleg (Lepotosphaeria maculans ) which is a significant di sease problem with canola (Salisbury 1987). Camelina has also b een found to be very resistant to Alternaria brassicae , compared with turnip rape or swede rape(Grontoft 1986; Conn et al. 1988). Flea beetle [ Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze)] is also sometimes observ ed on camelina, although it is not nearly the problem it is with canola. However, in ex tensive multi-year small-pl ot trials, damage due to insects and diseases in camelina have not been suff icient to warrant control measures (Robinson 1987). 

### Weed Control The compatibility of canola with co mmonly used herbicides is not widely known. In one three-year trial, camelina was not injured by trifluralin incorporated either in the fall or sp ring, but yields were not improved over winter-seeded camelina planted without herbicide (Robinson 1987). No herbicides are currently labeled for use with camelina, and herbic ides would comprise a significant cost of production should any in the future even become labeled for su ch use. These data however, suggest that the use of p reemergence herbicides may not be n ecessary in camelina if it is seed ed in the winter or very early spring. Winter-seeded camelina em erges earlier than conventionally seeded camelina or other cruciferous crops, and normally before any substantial weed germin ation in the spring. The seedlings are quite cold-tolerant, surviving several freezes in the spring. For example, in one trial, a May 12 frost (-2° C) injured mustard, rape, and flax, but did not affect camelina (Robinson 1987). Individual camelina seedlings are fairly small and non- competitive, but this early-emerging, cold-tolerant characteristic, especially when planted at high densities, provides excellent comp etition with many annual weeds. Perennial or biennial weeds are likel y to be more difficult to control in camelina. However, the Page 4 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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...competitiveness of camelina with annual weeds presen ts the possibility that camelina could be grown both without tillage and without preemergence weed control, both significant costs of production and environmental risk-factors. 

## UTILIZATION Seed Composition, Oil Co ntent and Meal Quality
The oil content of camelina seed ha s ranged from 29 to 39% in our studies. There appears to be some variation for oil content among the cultivars tested ( Table 2 ), but the germplasm has not been widely characterized. Studies in Germany have shown oi l content to range between 37 and 41% and seed p rotein content 23 to 30% (Marquard and Kuhlmann 198 6). Camelina appears to be similar in protein content and elemental composition to flax (Linum usitatissimumL.), with the exception of a higher sulfur content (Robinson 1987). Cameli na meal is comparable to s oybean meal, containing 45 to 47% crude protein and 10 to 11% fiber (Korsrud et al. 1978). Zero to trace levels of volatile isothiocyanates have been found in camelina meal (Peredi 1969; Korsrud et al. 1978; Sang and Salisbury 1987) compared with crambe ( Crambe abyssinica Hochst) or industrial rapeseed meal which contains s ubstantially higher levels of gluc osinolates. Laboratory mice fed camelina meal gained less weight than those fed casein or egg contro l diets, but more than those fed crambe meal (Korsrud et al. 1978). Although some esse ntial amino acids may have been limiting in the camelina meal diets, some growth depressing factor other than glucos inolates may have been present (Korsrud et al. 1978). Camelina has been fed to wild (Fogelfors 1984) or caged (Mabberly 1987) birds, and this is one p otential use. Other potential uses include applications as an ornamental, a cover or smother crop, a border row for experimental field plots, or in dried flower arrange ments (Robinson 1987). 

### Fatty Acid Composition and Use of the Oil
Oil was extracted from camelina and other oilseeds by the S oxhlet method using diethyl ether, and fatty acids determined using the method of Enig and Ackerman (1987). The fatty acids in camelina oil are p rimarily unsaturated, with onl y about 12% being saturated ( Fig. 2 ). About 54% of the fatty acids are p olyunsaturated, primarily linoleic ( 18:2) and linolenic (18:3), and 34% are monounsaturated, primarily oleic (18:1) and eicosenoic (20:1) ( Table 6 ). Our values for fatty acid composition of Camelina sativa are generally similar to those reported for Camelina rumelica(Umarov et al. 1972), or other reports on Camelina sativa (Seehuber and Dambroth 1983). With its low saturated fat content camelina oil coul d be considered a high quality edible oil, but it is also quite highly polyunsaturate d, which makes it susceptible to au toxidation, thus giving it a shorter shelf life. With an iodine value of 144, it is cla ssified as a drying oil (Robinson 1987). Camelina oil has been used as a replacement for petroleum oil inpesticide sprays (Robinson and Nelson 1975). Camelina oil is less unsaturated than linseed (flax) oil and more unsaturated than sunflower or canola oils (Fig. 2, Table 6). The balance of saturated vs. unsaturated fats is similar to that of soybean, but camelina contains significantly highe r proportion of C18:3 fatty acids. Camelina seems to be unique among the species evaluated in having a high eicosenoic acid content in the oil, but the potential value or disadvanta g e of this is currentl y unclear. Page 5 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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...The erucic acid content is probably too low for use in the same ap plications as crambe or high erucic acid rapeseed, where a high erucic acid content is de sired. Most of the camelina lines evaluated contain 2 to 4% erucic acid (Table 6), which is greater th an the maximum (2%) limits for canola-quality edible oil. However, in a preliminary germplasm screen, we have identified li nes with zero erucic acid content (data not shown), so it is likely that this trait could re adily be removed through plant breeding, as it has been with canola. The lack of clear utilization patterns for camelina oil currently limit its use. The fatty acid composition does not currently uniquely fit any particular use. Manipulation of camelina fatty acid content, which has been achieved in other oilseeds, could greatly improve the utilization possi bilities of this crop. 

## SUITABILITY FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE When analyzing the potential role of a new crop, unique attributes of that specie s must be established; it must contribute something not already provided by ex isting crop species. It is not sufficient, for example, for a crop simply to become "another oilseed." There must be unique and compelling p roperties of that crop to provide incentives for further development. The research reported here has shown that came lina possesses unique agronomic traits which could substantially reduce and perhaps el iminate requirements for tillage and annual weed control. The compatibility of camelina with reduced tillage systems, cover crops, it s low seeding rate, and competitiveness with weeds could enable this crop not only to have the lowest input cost of any oilseed, but also be compatible with the goals of reducing energy and pesticid e use, and protecting soils from erosion. Camelina is a potential alternative oilsee d for stubble systems, winter surface seeding, double cropping, or for marginal lands. At a seeding rate of 6 to 14 kg/ha, camelina could be inexpensively applied by air or machine-broad cast in early winter or spring on stubble ground without special equipment. Although these unimproved lines have beenshown to be agronomically acceptable, modern history has indicated the Cruciferae to be highly manipulatable through plant breeding or biotechnology, and so the promise of improvement is also high. The meal does not contain gluc osinolates, but the fatty acid composition of the seed needs to be modified to provide a role for the crop in the oilseeds market. Lack of clear utilization patterns currently limit the crop, and further work on oil, meal, and seed use is required. The possibilities of using camelina in human f ood, as birdseed, as an edible or industrial oil, a fuel, or other applications remains largely unexplo red. Further utilization and breeding research is required to more fully make use of the unique agronomic qualities that this crop possesses. 

## REFERENCES

z Bramm, A., M. Dambroth, and S. Schulte-Korne. 1990. Analysis of yield components of linseed, false flax, and poppy. Landbauforschung Volkenrode 40:107-114.

z Conn, K.L., J.P. Tewari, and J.S. Dahiya. 1988. Resistance to Alternaria brassicae and phytoalexin-elicitation inrapeseed and other crucifers. Plant Sci. (Irish Rep.) 55:21-25.

z Downey, R.K. 1971. Agricultural and genetic potenti al of cruciferous oilseed crops. J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc. 48:718-722.

z Downey, R.K. 1990. Canola: A quality Brassica oi lseed, p. 211-215. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.). Advances in new crops. Timber Press, Portland, OR. Page 6 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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...z Einig, R.G. and R.G. Ackerman. 1987. Omega-3 PU FA in marine oil products. J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc. 64:499.

z Enge, G. and G. Olsson. 1986. Svavlof varieties release for cultivatio n in the period 1886-1986. Sveriges Utsadesforenings Tidskrift (Sweden) 96:220-235.

z Fogelfors, H. 1984. Useful weeds? Part 5. Lantmannen (Sweden) 105:28.

z Grontoft, M. 1986. Resistance to Alternaria spp. in oil crops. Sveriges -Utsadesforenings Tidskrift (Sweden) 96:293.

z Grummer, G. 1961. The role of toxic substances inthe interrelationships between higher plants, p. 226-227. In: Mechanisms in biological comp etition. Academic Press, New York.

z Hein, A. 1984. Transmission of turnip yellow mosaic virus through seed of Camelina sativa (gold of pleasure). Zeitschrift fur Pflanz enkrankheiten und Pflanzenschutz 91:549-551.

z Hymowitz, T. 1990. Soybeans: The success story, p. 159-163. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.). Advances in new crops. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

z Kartamyshev, B.G. 1985. The development of oil crop breeding on the Don. Selektsiya i Semenovodstvo (USSR) 6:9-11.

z Knorzer, K.H. 1978. Evolution and spread of Gold of Pleasure ( Camelina sativa S.L.). Bererichte der Deutschen Botanischen Gesellschaft 91:187-195.

z Korsrud, G.O., M.O. Keith, and J.M. Bell. 1978. A comparison of the nutritional value of crambe and camelina seed meals with egg and casein. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 58:493-499.

z Lovett, J.V. and H.F. Jacks on. 1980. Allelopathic activity of Camelina sativa(L.) Crantz in relation to its phyllosphere bacteria. New Phytol. 86:273-277.

z Lovett, J.V. and A.M. Duffield. 1981. Allelochemicals of Camelina sativa . J. Appl. Ecol. 18:283- 290.

z Mabberley, D.J. 1987. The plant book. A portable dictionary of higher plants. Camb. Univ. Press, New York.

z Marquard, R. and H. Kuhlmann. 1986. Investigations of productive capacity and seed quality of linseed dodder ( Camelina sativa Crtz.) Fette Seifen Anstrichmittel (Germany) 88:245-249.

z Mirek, Z. 1981. Genus Camelina in Poland--Taxonomy, distribution and habitats. Fragmenta Floristica et Geobotanica. Ann. 27:445-507.

z National Research Council (NRC ). 1989. Alternative Agriculture/Committee on the role of Alternative Farming Me thods in Modern Production Agricu lture. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

z North Central Regional Techni cal Committee NC-121. 1981. Weeds of the North Central States. North Central Re g ional Res. Pub. 281. Bul. 772. A g r. Expt. Sta., Univ. Illinois, UrbanaPage 7 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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...Champaign.

z Peredi, J. 1969. Fatty acid compos ition of the oils of Hungarianrape varieties and of other cruciferous plants, and the conten ts of isothiocyanates and vinyl thiooxazolidon of the their meals. Olag Szappan Kozmetika 18:67-76.

z Robinson, R.G. 1973. The sunflower crop in Minnesot a. Ext. Bul. 299. Agr. Ext. Serv., Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul.

z Robinson, R.G. 1987. Camelina: A us eful research crop and a poten tial oilseed crop. Minnesota Agr. Expt. Sta. Bul. 579-1987. (AD-SB-3275).

z Robinson, R.G. and W.W. Nelson. 1975. Vegetable oi l replacements for petr oleum oil adjuvants in herbicide sprays. Econ. Bot. 29:146-151.

z Salisbury, P.A. 1987. Blackleg resistance in w eedy crucifers. Crucif erae Newsl. 12:90.

z Sang, J.P. and P.A. Salisbury. 1987. Wild Crucifer species an d 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin. Cruciferae Newsl. 12:113.

z Seehuber, R. and M. Dambroth. 1983. Studies on genotypic variability of yield components in linseed (Linum usitatissumum L.), poppy ( Papaver somniferum L.) and Camelina sativaCrtz. Landbauforschung Volkenr ode (Germany) 33:183-188.

z Seehuber, R. and M. Dambroth. 1984. Potential for the production of industrial raw materials from home-grown oil plants and prospects fo r their exploitation. Landbauforschung Volkenrode 34:174-182.

z Seehuber, R., J. Vollmann, and M. Dambroth. 1987 . Application of single-seed-descent method in falseflax to increase the yield level. Lanbauforschung Voelkenrod e (Germany) 37:132-136.

z Umarov, A.U., T.V. Chernenko, and A.L. Markman. 1972. The oils of some plants of the family cruciferae. Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii (USSR) 1:24-27.

Table 1. Comparison of Camelinawith other oilseeds z

.

z Data from trials conducted 1960-1985 in Rosem ount and Roseau, MN; 9 year/location means (Robinson 1987). y Yields of some species, especially B. napus have improved due to plant breeding efforts since these trials were conducted. Yields of al l cruciferae were at least 50% hi gher at Roseau (near Canada) vs. Rosemount in these trials. Species Yield (kg/ha) y Oil (%) Seed size (g/1,000 seeds) Maturity date Lodging (%) Camelina sativa 1277 31 0.6-1.2 7/1-7/28 20-30 Crambe abysinica 1317 32 6-8 7/15-8/10 30-50 Brassica napus 1273 39 2.9-4.0 8/1-8/20 40-80 Brassica hirta 1319 24 4.8-5.1 7/20-8/3 20-80 Page 8 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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...Table 2. Yield and characteristics of Camelina sativa lines grown in Rosemount, Minnesota, 1991.

z 1 = no lodging; 10 = severe lodging. Table 3. Comparison of winter-sown camelina with spring-sown camelina and flax.

z Camelina was grown without herbicides and flaxwas sprayed with dalapon and MCPA. Data from Robinson (1987). y Percent of weeds controlled estimate d by visual rating (100 = least weedy). Table 4. Effect of tillage, seeding method, and timeof seeding on camelina and flax, Rosemount, Minnesota, 1990-91. Days from planting to Line (origin) Full bloom Maturity Height (cm) Lodging rating z 1,000 seed weight (g) Seed yield (kg/ha) Oil (%) C028 (USSR) 42 77 58 7.2 1.08 1007 37.5 C037 (Germany) 45 79 67 3.4 0.98 1085 35.3 C046 (Germany) 45 78 63 1.6 1.14 1159 37.3 C053 (Germany) 46 80 64 4.2 0.72 1065 36.4 C054 (Germany) 45 81 68 1.0 1.22 1140 35.1 C082 (Germany) 45 80 67 3.1 0.94 1218 35.9 C088 (Germany) 45 79 60 2.4 0.83 1148 35.5 'Robbie' (USA) 46 78 56 1.5 0.65 1067 34.3

LSD (P<=0.05) 2 1 6 1.8 0.10 173 2.4 C.V. (%) 4 2 6 39 7 11

---

Seed yield (kg/ha) Crop z Sowing date Sowing rate (kg/ha) Tillage Weed control (%) y 1970 1971 1972 1973 Ave. Camelina Early Dec. 12 No 77 862 840 1243 1747 1176 Camelina Mid-April 8 Yes 69 762 840 1288 1725 1154 Flax Mid-April 56 Yes 76 963 336 952 1848 1019 LSD (P<=0.05) 202 157 146 146 78

Days from planting to Stand Full Lodging Weeds Height Seed yield Page 9 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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...z 1 = no lodging; 10 = severe lodging. y Weed pressure estimated by visual rating, with 100 = most weedy, 0 = least weedy. Table 5. Influence of a cover crop on winter-sown came lina performance. Camelina was planted broadcast-sown in early December on either bare ground or on flax stubble sown in late August or early September; data fr om Robinson (1987).

z Percent of weeds controlled estimate d by visual rating (100 = least weedy). Table 6. Fatty acid composition of camelina compared with 5 other oilseeds, grown at Rosemount, Minnesota, 1991. Treatments (%) bloom Maturity rating z (%) y (cm) (kg/ha) No-till stubble Flax winter scatter 4 6/15 7/21 1 100 52 91 Flax spring scatter 35 6/15 7/22 1 75 51 801 Flax spring machine 98 6/15 7/22 1 61 47 851 Camelina winter scatter 93 6/1 6/28 1 16 59 749 Camelina spring scatter 64 6/9 7/7 1 48 41 1008 Camelina spring machine 100 6/13 7/12 2 63 52 888 Tilled Flax winter scatter 3 6/14 7/21 1 100 51 142 Flax spring scatter 68 6/12 7/21 1 80 56 837 Flax spring machine 100 6/14 7/21 2 85 53 937 Camelina winter scatter 71 6/1 6/30 2 51 60 850 Camelina spring scatter 95 6/12 7/8 2 34 57 1147 Camelina spring machine 98 6/11 7/9 2 42 55 865
LSD (P<=0.05) 28 4 3 n.s. 36 15 312 C.V. (%) 27 22 15 50 32 17 28

Seed yield (kg/ha) Treatment Stand (%) Maturity Weed control (%) z Lodging (%) 1971 1972 1973 Ave. No cover crop 77 7/11 78 37 840 1243 1747 1277 Flax cover crop 89 7/9 83 18 1120 1176 1870 1389 LSD (P<=0.05)

--- --- --- --- 157 146 146 90

Fatty acid content (% of oil) Fatty acid Canola Soybean Sunflower Crambe Flax Camelina Page 10 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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...Fig. 1. Camelina plant nearing maturity. Came lina superficially resembles flax.

Fig. 2. Percent saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in camelina compared with other oilseeds grown at Rosemount, Minnesota, 1991. Unidentified fatty acid s are those which did not match standards. Camelina is similar to soybean in balance of saturated vs. unsaturated fats, but is higher in C18:3 fatty acids. Palmitic (16:0) 6.19 10.44 6.05 2.41 5.12 7.80 Stearic (18:0) 0 3.95 3.83 0.40 4.56 2.96 Oleic (18:1) 61.33 27.17 17.36 18.36 24.27 16.77 Linoleic (18:2) 21.55 45.49 69.26 10.67 16.25 23.08 Linolenic (18:3) 6.55 7.16 0 5.09 45.12 31.20 Arachidic (20:0) 0 0 0 0.50 0 0 Eicosenoic (20:1) 0 0 0 2.56 0 11.99 Erucic (22:1) 0 0 0 54.00 0.88 2.80 Other FA 4.38 5.79 3.5 6.01 3.80 3.40 Page 11 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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...Last update September 11, 1997 aw Page 12 of 12 Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilsee d

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