Oil Development in Lesquerella Fendleri Seeds from Fall and Spring Plantings.

The accumulation of seed weight, oil content, and the predominate fatty acids in the seed oil of lesquerella (Lesquerella fendleri) were examined from anthesis until maturity over two years. Lesquerella, an alternative new industrial crop from the Brassicaceae family produces high quantities of hydroxy fatty acids in its seed oil used in industrial lubricants such as motor oils and greases, plastics, coatings, surfactants, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.  The study tagged flowers and analyzed the seeds produced on both fall- and spring-planted lesquerella. The sampling dates of developed fruits (siliques) for both years and plantings were 7, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29, 33, 36, and 41 days after flowering (DAF).  Flowers were tagged in a fall-planted field in March and April and sampling occurred from 6 until 41 DAF.  Flowers were tagged in a spring-planted field in June of both years and sampling followed.  The sigmoidal curve for seed dry weight was steeper in the spring- than in the fall planting. Fall and spring planted crops had similar numbers of seeds per silique, maturity dates, and oil profile development. Lesquerolic acid accumulated faster and began at an earlier date in the spring planting than in the fall planting. Other fatty acids followed a similar trend. Flowers on the crop near harvest will require about 27 days to develop into mature seeds.  The oil quality and quantity was unaffected by these temperatures.  A spring planting may be feasible and allow lesquerella to expand its areas of production.