Apr
15
Written by:
abauman
4/15/2011 8:01 AM
Camelina: A New Oilseed Crop for Permanent No-Till Systems in the Northeast was studied by Penn State Extension’s MBA participant, David Dowler.
The Camelina Project in NW PA was multi-faceted to include:
- Establishing camelina acreage in Northwestern Pennsylvania
- Establishing value-added markets for camelina
- Integration of camelina into current crop rotations for:
o Biodiesel production
o Introduction of a new oilseed crop
o Local processing of oilseed crops for economic development
o Creating value-added local markets for camelina
o Introduction of camelina into continuous no-till systems
o Camelina as a biofumigant green manure
Over the past two years we have established over 600 acres of camelina and introduced another oilseed, canola, into the crop rotation in NW Pennsylvania. We are currently experimenting with camelina solely in no-till applications and under-seeding the crop with clover for nitrogen fixation; at least similar to the amount for nitrogen fixed by soybeans (and perhaps two or three times more, plus the advantages of a living winter cover).
In 2009, local producers were able to double crops with camelina in the spring, produce a clover hay crop in the fall, and now has the nitrogen fixed for a corn crop in the spring of 2010. Double cropping in NW Pennsylvania has always been a challenge. This may change.
Camelina as a biofuel feedstock
Camelina yields of 1200-1400 pound/acre are very achievable, resulting in higher oil yields than soy beans. We have accumulated field data on culture, production, harvesting, storing, processing, marketing of the seed and meal, and using the oil as a feedstock for bio-diesel production. This has potential as a value added by-product after crushing the seed and extracting the oil.
While camelina remains promising as a major bio-diesel feedstock in the northeast, many challenges remain.
In 2008 we grew 316 acres of camelina with nine participating growers. In 2009 we grew another 225 acres of camelina with six participating growers. This practical application gave us insight on the economics of camelina production in no-till systems. We also included companion clover crop, which benefited the camelina crop and also fixed nitrogen for future row crop. The clover crop permitted a double-cropping system in northwest Pennsylvania – this is a rarity.
Camelina as a biopesticide
Our work demonstrates the bio-pesticide properties of camelina and its potential as a bio-fumigant of orchards and crop land for control of plant parasite nematodes.
Camelina adds a very positive diversity to our current cropping systems. This process breaks cyclic disease and parasite problems that plague current cropping systems.
Dr. James A. LaMondia, Chief Scientist of The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, conducted field plot research in 2008 and 2009 at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Valley Laboratory research farm in an orchard replant site on the effects of Camelina as a biofumigant green manure or seed meal amendment against some of the most common and damaging nematode pests in the northeast, the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans and the dagger nematode Xiphinema sp. These experiments were also conducted in Pennsylvania at the PSU Fruit Research and Education Center in Biglerville by Dr. John Halbrendt with similar results. They grew a number of rotation crops in orchard replant plots infested with lesion and dagger nematodes. Camelina appeared to be a non-host of dagger nematodes and Xiphinema populations were low after a green manure crop. Lesion nematode populations were similar to Dwarf Essex rapeseed, which is a host of the nematode, but not as high as other crops such as mustard or sesame. Camelina may have utility as a rotation crop for dagger, but not root lesion nematodes.
Camelina as a feed meal for poultry
The value-added component of the study was to establish a market for camelina meal. The high level of omega-3 fatty acids found in camelina meal make it an ideal feed for poultry and other classes of livestock as a value added feedstuff. We have research data from poultry trials we have conducted where we tracked the omega-3 in feeding trails. Yes, the omega-3’s do transfer into eggs and poultry tissue when chickens are fed camelina meal.
The outcome demonstrates that camelina meal could replace flaxseed meal for broilers high omega-3 diets. Thus, adding significant value to camelina meal as a broiler supplement.
This summary was posted with permission from Penn State University’s Manager of Farm Operations & Services, Glen Cauffman.
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kendo
Amerigreen >Home >Resources >Amerigreen Blog - Penn State's Camelina Project - new biofuel, biopesticide and feed meal source?
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