Double Cropping Winter Camelina and Sunflower in North Dakota.

Double cropping offers greater yield and profit potential than sole cropping, but in temperate regions producers are challenged to select crops with maturities that fit into typically shorter growing seasons.  The study objective was to evaluate double cropping of winter camelina and sunflower in eastern North Dakota near Prosper.  Winter camelina was established in replicated field plots in the fall, resumed growth in April, was flowering in early May and harvested in late June.  An early maturity NuSun sunflower hybrid was established in the winter camelina replicated field plots on the day of winter camelina harvest.  Standard agronomic practices were applied for both winter camelina and sunflower production.  Results indicated fair winter camelina and good sunflower performance.  The reasons for fair winter camelina performance are unclear, but may be related to stands, soil moisture, cool temperatures during flowering, insect damage, and/or soil fertility.  Sunflower performance was greater than the state average yield for timely sown sunflower.  This coupled with improvements in winter camelina performance indicated potential for this double crop combination in North Dakota.