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A new type of alfalfa may feed cattle and power electrical generators
in Minnesota by the turn of the century. ARS researchers developing
the alfalfa say its extra thick and long stems can be burned to help fuel
electricity-generating plants, while the leaves can be ground into
livestock feed. Another plus: Since alfalfa is a legume, capable of
transforming atmospheric nitrogen into a form that enriches the soil,
using it in a crop rotation system will leave fields more fertile for
other crops. The alfalfa will be grown and marketed by local farmers,
including a newly formed farmers' cooperative in Minnesota.
Plant Science Research
Unit, St. Paul, MN
Carroll Vance, (612) 625-1991
Liquid waxes from inexpensive, surplus soybeans could replace sperm
whale oil in products as diverse as luxury soaps, insecticide carriers,
leather preservatives, lamp oil and even artificial flavorings.
Researchers extracted oleic acid from soybean oil, isolated bacteria from
the Acinetobacter family, and fed the oleic acid to the
bacteria. The microbes turned some of the acid into alcohol, then linked
the alcohol and remaining oleic acid to form the liquid waxes. Economists
predict there could be about 185 million bushels of surplus soybeans
available from the 1996-97 crop year.
National Center for Agricultural
Utilization Research, Peoria, IL
Larry K. Nakamura, (309) 681-6395
ARS scientists solved a cloudy mystery about meadowfoam oil--and saved
meadowfoam processors some $2 million in potential lost sales.
Meadowfoam oil is a rich source of unique long-chain fatty acids that can
be made into cosmetics. But oil from the 1993 and 1994 crops contained an
unknown substance that gave it a cloudy appearance and made it undesirable
for cosmetic manufacturers. ARS researchers identified the substance as a
harmless seedcoat wax and devised a technique to remove it from the oil by
cooling and filtration.
National Center for Agricultural
Utilization Research, Peoria, IL
Terry A. Isbell, (309) 681-6235
Two simple planting and fertilizing tips for lesquerella could boost
yields and profits from this promising industrial crop for farmers in arid
southwestern states. Lesquerella seed oil has potential for many uses
in cosmetics, and for high-quality lubricants that could replace those
made exclusively with imported castor oil. Applying nitrogen fertilizer at
55 to 110 pounds per acre resulted in maximum seed yields. Also,in
cooperative field studies with the Univeristy of Arizona, ARS scientists
found that lesquerella crops yield more seed if planted in September
rather than October, November or February. However, because of higer
priced irrigation water during September, this tip doesn't apply to some
areas of Arizona.
U.S. Water Conservation
Laboratory, Phoenix, AZ
David A. Dierig, (602) 379-4356
Last updated: October 21, 1996
Return to: Quarterly Report
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