SS-AGR-340

Camelina Production in Florida1

David Wright and Jim Marois2

1. This document is SS-AGR-340, a publication of the Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural 

Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: February 2011. Please visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. David Wright, Professor, Agronomy Department, North Florida Research and Education Center--Quincy, FL; and Jim Marois, Professor, Plant Pathology 

Department, North Florida Research and Education Center--Quincy, FL; Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural 

Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611. 

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the 

products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. 

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and 

other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, 

sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, 

University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie FerrerChancy, Interim Dean

Camelina (Camelina sativa (L)) is an old-world 

crop used primarily for oil. It can be grown under 

semi-arid conditions. Breeding efforts have resulted 

in very few improvements. It is a member of the 

Brassicaceae or mustard family and related to canola 

and cole crops. The seed is about 35% oil, and the oil 

is high in omega-3 fatty acid, which has been cited as 

having health benefits. Camelina meal can be fed to 

livestock, producing eggs and meat that are higher in 

omega-3 fatty acids. Interest in camelina is not only 

due to its high level of omega-3 fatty acids but 

because it is a renewable source of feedstock for 

biodiesel and advanced biofuels. 

Camelina has a wide range of adaptability, 

fitting into many different cropping systems due to its 

short period of growth (70–90 days). Camelina 

seedlings can survive intense cold (into the teens) and 

can be planted before or after main cash crops in 

southern latitudes in either the spring or fall. Even 

though the crop has been grown for thousands of 

years, research related to production is limited and 

will develop as its value increases as a renewable 

energy crop. Many of the production practices 

being used are taken from related crops (mainly 

canola). In dry climates, camelina can be grown in 

fields lying fallow between other crops, allowing the 

fields to produce income and serving as a renewable 

energy and rotation crop.

Figure 1. Wild radish between rows of camelina in Florida

 Since camelina breeding efforts have been 

limited, only a few varieties are available. It can be 

established with no-till drills in firm seedbeds or with 

a grain drill on prepared land. A cultipacker seeder 

may be the best implement for establishing stands for 

new growers on prepared seedbeds since seeding 

depth is critical to establishment and deep planting 

can lead to stand failures. From 3–10 lbs/A of seed 

can be planted at a depth of 1/4 – 1/2 inch deep. Seed 
Camelina Production in Florida 2

size is small, about 400,000–500,000 seeds per lb. 

Getting a stand is a critical component of production. 

Figure 2. Camelina can be established in narrow rows at 

low seeding rates. Shallow planting is best for small seed, 

and little is known about seedling diseases on camelina.

At present no broadleaf weed herbicides are 

labeled for use on camelina. Therefore, it is essential 

to plant into a weed-free seedbed. The growth period 

of wild radish (Raphanus raphinustrum L.) may 

coincide with camelina production in Florida Fig. 1. 

Fields with a history of wild radish infestations 

should be avoided. Little is known about impacts of 

residual herbicides from other crops on camelina 

establishment. Currently, most university 

researchers working on camelina suggest that the 

same restrictions on residual herbicides for canola be 

followed for camelina. Likewise, it is suggested that 

camelina not be planted more than once every three 

years in the same field to prevent the spread of 

sclerotinia stem rot and other diseases common to the 

mustard family. 

Figure 3. Camelina in bloom

Seed yields of 1000–1500 lbs/A or more have 

been reported with N application rates of 60–90 

lbs/A. Soil tests should be followed for other 

nutrients. No nutritional trials have been conducted in 

Florida, and there may be no yield response to 

phosphorus and potassium when camelina is planted 

in rotation with well fertilized crops. Direct 

harvesting can be done with a grain combine when 

pods turn yellow. Like canola, reel speed is critical to 

keep shattering low during the harvest operation. 

Recommended moisture for seed storage is 8% to 

minimize damage and spoilage. 

Little is known about camelina production in 

Florida at the present time. However, research is 

underway to determine optimum planting dates and 

nitrogen rates and other management practices. Some 

breeding work for yield or oil content is being done 

because camelina offers potential as a short season 

biofuels crop that could fit into many different 

cropping systems in Florida. No data are available on 

the impact of residual herbicides on camelina grown 

after harvest of peanut, cotton, or other row crops. 
Camelina Production in Florida 3

Figure 4. Seed pods of camelina prior to harvest and at 

harvest as pods turn brown

Information will be provided as we learn more about 

production, management, and markets. Small seeded 

crops like canola and camelina can shatter if not 

harvested at the proper time . In 15 years of canola 

research and production, volunteer camelina plants 

never presented a problem in subsequent crops.

Figure 5. A field of camelina in north Florida in late 

January from a November planting.