Genetic Diversity in Camelina Sativa Germplasm for Drought, and Cold Tolerance.

Colorado dryland crop producers are hungry for drought tolerant bioenergy crops. More than 2,000 oilseed species exist worldwide, and many cultivars within species are available and need to be screened for adaptability to Colorado crop conditions. Camelina is a new crop that is showing early promise as a viable dryland oilseed crop for biofuel. The hypothesis of this study was that spring camelina (Camelina sativa L.) could be grown as an alternative oilseed crop under semi-arid conditions in the eastern and western slope of Colorado and Wyoming and that genetic diversity exists for drought and cold tolerance within the camelina germplasm that will impact productivity and oil profile. The objectives were (1) to determine the drought genetic variability of camelina for a better fit under Colorado conditions; and (2) to evaluate the cold genetic variability of camelina germplasm for early seeding under cold Colorado conditions. We screened 100 Camelina sativa accessions from the area of origin to identify sources of water use efficiency, cold vigor, favorable yield components and superior oil profiles. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse, located in Fort Collins, Colorado and in the field at the Colorado State University experimental station to evaluate the drought tolerance components. Two treatments were applied in the greenhouse: 50% soil saturation and 100%. Water use efficiency, maturity date and the number of pods were evaluated. In the field, the same accessions were planted under both treatments, dryland and irrigated. Cold vigor testing was done in growth chambers at the CSU Seed Laboratory at two temperatures: 5C and 15C. Growing degree days to germination were calculated. The results will be reported on the poster for presentation.