Winter Camelina In the High Plains- An Alternative Biofuel Feedstock.

Garrett Jewett Abstract, ASA meeting 2011 Colorado State University Agronomic potential of winter camelina for Colorado and the High Plains What is the potential for winter camelina as a biodiesel feedstock in the High Plains region? As oil prices continue to rise, the effort to develop a new generation of biofuel producing species is intensifying. In Eastern Colorado there are several candidate species that fit into the predominant cropping systems. In terms of acreage, the main cropping system in this area is a dryland wheat-based no-till crop rotation. One of the most promising candidate species is Camelina sativa, an oilseed species belonging to the Brassicaceae family. In comparison to other oilseed species suitable for this area, camelina has demonstrated superior yields under dryland conditions, as well as a high tolerance to heat and cold. There are two types of camelina, winter and spring-seeded varieties. Most camelina research up to this point has dealt with spring-seeded varieties. By comparison, even the most basic agronomic characteristics of winter camelina remain poorly defined. The advantages to winter over spring seeded camelina varieties include an earlier spring germination date and improved early-season stand establishment. In addition, planting in the early fall is easier and more predictable than waiting for a planting window in the spring. Our preliminary study consists of a small-plot variety trial of eleven different winter camelina varieties and four spring varieties in three different locations throughout Colorado. These were planted over six different dates of planting in order to determine the optimal fall planting period. This preliminary study on winter camelina will allow us to identify the growth parameters and requirements of this important oilseed producing species for various locations throughout Colorado. This will allow us to quantify the winter survival rate for these varieties in different environments under irrigated and dryland conditions. Previous fall plantings of winter camelina were unsuccessful due to the presence of a stem-boring weevil. As a result of this study, the weevil, Ceutorhynchus americanus Buchanan has already been identified and we will be able to determine the efficacy of control methods in winter camelina.