Camelina a Potential New Oilseed for Washington, Idaho, and Oregon Stephen Guy Extension Agronomist Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Washington State University sguy@wsu.edu Ph. 509-335-5831 Jim B. Davis Dept. of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences University Idaho
What is Camelina? Camelina sativa or False flax Oilseed crop in the Brassicaceae (mustard) family. Ancient crop previously grown in northern Europe. Grown as a short season, spring annual. Good cold tolerance. Seed has 28-35% oil, some reports of 40%. High in omega-3 fatty acids. High in polyunsaturated fats. Commercial crop acreage mostly in Montana, but some production has occurred in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.
Camelina Adaptation Short season, temperate climate crop: 85-100 days. Can be grown on marginal agricultural lands. Low cultural inputs. No seed dormancy, good germination at low temps Stress Tolerant. Seedlings are cold tolerant observed to 0 o F. Withstands high temperatures at flowering. Withstands drought stress well. Higher harvest index (33%) than canola (20%). Lower water use than canola. Good rotation crop with small grains.
Camelina End Uses Oil is low in saturated fats high in to omega-3 polyunsaturated fats. Oil contains gamma tocopherol (Vitamin E), an antioxidant that stabilizes the oil for a long shelf life. Potential to be used in edible and industrial products. New push as a biofuel jet fuel for PNW and military. Other use in cosmetics, soaps, spray adjuvant, biodiesel. Camelina is moderately low in glucosinolates. Meal as animal feed: 45% crude protein, 10-11% fiber. Needs GRAS status from FDA for use in human food chain.
Camelina agronomic practices Planting early spring or late fall/winter dormant Use adapted varieties Calena, Columbia, Celine Shallow drilling or broadcast seeding + packing works residue is helpful and seed to moisture Seed into weed free fields Use Poast for grass weeds 3-5 lb/acre of seed
Camelina agronomic practices Avoid fields with carryover herbicides IMI s, SU s, 75-150 lb N total/acre, add 25-100 lb/acre N fertilizer Direct cut as soon a color is brown <8% moisture No known insect pests Flea beetle Lygus bug Aphid Cabbage seedpod weevil
Harvest Harvest when pods are brown Direct cutting easiest Swathing is possible Less biomass than canola Threshes easily Reduce air due to small seed Install small opening screens (alfalfa seed) to separate pods/seeds Low % of pods OK for crushing A 1500 lb/a seed yield gives 3000 lb/a of residue.
Camelina Seeding Studies Moscow, 2007 Drilled on 3-19, 4-5, 4-19. D1, 3-19 2175 lb/a D2, 4-5 2070 lb/a D3, 4-19 1655 lb/a Seeding method, seed 4-19 Drilled 2070 lb/a Placed on surface 1185 lb/a Placed and packed 1730 lb/a Broadcast 1285 lb/a
Camelina Nitrogen Fertilizer Trials Moscow 07 Greencreek 07 Moscow 08 Moscow 09 Pullman 10 N rate lb/a ------------------------------ Yield lb/acre -------------------------------- 0 2020 760 630 1640 880 20 2015 920 670 1820 1220 40 2080 940 790 2020 1700 60 2150 1090 840 2280 1920 80 2150 1210 840 2590 2190 100 2025 1350 910 2620 2380 LSD 0.5 NS 200 100 170 130
Camelina Variety Trials 2007 Moscow, ID Greencreek, ID Dusty, WA 2008 Pendleton, OR Moscow, ID Lacrosse, WA Pullman, WA 2009 Pullman - Fall Dusty - Fall Pullman - Spring 2010 Pullman
Camelina Cultivar Yields Variety 2007 2008 2009 2010 Blaine Creek 1472 1521 2895 2150 Celine 1600 3500 2400 Columbia 1642 1441 3170 2230 Calena 1657 1631 3435 2375 Ligena 1587 1511
Reasons to Grow Camelina Camelina is adapted to our growing environments, including direct seeding. Camelina has low input costs, and is an easy crop to grow. Camelina should be a beneficial rotation crop for wheat and reduce disease, insect, and other pest problems. Camelina might be grown on land not previously suited for alternative crops.
Potential Problems Growing Camelina Weed control only Poast registered for grass weeds. Setting up combine for harvest. Limited market get a contract. Limited agronomic knowledge. Limited grower experience, usually 3 years to learn a crop. Unknown diseases or insects. Herbicide carryover IMIs (Pursuit & Beyond) and SUs always follow plant-back restrictions (canola or mustard).
Camelina tolerant to IMI-herbicide carry-over Beyond tolerant mutant Unsprayed Calena Mutant 1 Calena 4 oz pursuit 4 oz pursuit
Camelina agronomy shows a potential crop for Washington, Idaho, and Oregon Has very good yield potential at multiple locations. More work needed on varieties and locations. Fertilizer needs more study similar to canola 5-7lb N/100 lb seed production (?). determine sulfur requirements. Can be seeded early spring or late fall. Harvest index is 0.33, (seed:biomass) gives yield stability, less water and fertilizer. No current insect pest problems. Withstands cold and heat. Production contracts and grower support is essential for Camelina producers.
Camelina Resources OSU Fact Sheet EM 8953-E http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ Search for Camelina Stephen Guy: 509-335-5831 sguy@wsu.edu