Monday, November 5, 2007
52-2

Camelina as a Potential New Oilseed Crop for Idaho.

Stephen Guy, 375 S Line St., University of Idaho, University of Idaho, PSES, Moscow, ID 83844-2339 and Mary Lauver, PSES, University of Idaho, 375 S Line St., PSES, Moscow, ID 83844-2339.

Camelina, Camelina sativa L., is an oilseed crop in the Brassicaceae family. Recent cultivation of Camelina in Montana showed adaptation to growing areas that are similar to many dryland cropping areas of the Pacific Northwest. Camelina has not been grown previously in Idaho and agronomic trials to define agronomic adaptation to Idaho are needed to provide support for future commercial production. Replicated agronomic trials were conducted in 2006 and 2007 near Moscow, ID to assess Camelina variety performance, seeding methods, and nitrogen fertilizer response. The variety ‘Ligena' was highest yielding in the 2006 trial at 2625 kg ha-1, and the 16 trial entries, including numbered and named cultivars averaged 2200 kg ha-1 seed yield. In February 2006, under frozen soil conditions, camelina seed was broadcast onto undisturbed wheat stubble and onto chiseled wheat stubble. This early broadcast seeding was compared to later direct seeding into wheat stubble and conventional prepared soil. The later, drilled camelina yielded only 60% as much as the February frost seeding. Nitrogen fertilizer applied at 45, 90, and 135 kg ha-1 only resulted in 225 kg ha-1 seed yield difference from the low to high rates. Camelina appears to be adapted to Idaho dryland growing conditions, and this preliminary investigation shows it to be a to be a low input oilseed crop.