Adaptation of Oilseed Crops In Southwestern Colorado.

Several oilseed crops have been tested in a traditionally wheat, bean, and alfalfa growing area of southwestern Colorado. They include camelina (Camelina sativa L.), canola (Brassica napa L.), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Camelina appears to have good yield potential under irrigation but has not performed as well as expected under dryland conditions. Production constraints include stand establishment, seed availability, pod shattering, and bird damage. Maximum irrigated seed yields of 4738 lb/acre and 4027 lb/acre were achieved at the Southwestern Colorado Research Center with winter canola and spring canola, respectively. Winter canola appears to be more adapted to the climate of southwestern Colorado and less prone to pod shattering and damage by insects or birds than spring canola. Only safflower and sunflower are grown commercially in southwestern Colorado. Safflower averaged around 1000 lb/acre in the last three years, with no irrigation. Sunflower outperformed safflower but sunflower yield varied more from year to year. Research is underway to determine the response of sunflower to supplemental irrigation, planting date, and crop rotation.