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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #260836
Title: Oil content among the diverse castor genetic resources in the U.S. collection

Author
item Morris, John - Brad
item Wang, Ming
item Pinnow, David
item DAVIS, J - University Of Georgia
item RAYMER, PAUL - University Of Georgia
item Pederson, Gary

Submitted to: Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2010
Publication Date: 5/3/2011
Citation: Morris, J.B., Wang, M.L., Pinnow, D.L., Davis, J., Raymer, P., Pederson, G.A. 2011. Oil content among the diverse castor genetic resources in the U.S. collection [abstract]. Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society. Cincinnati, OH (May 1-4, 2011).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Castor (Ricinus communis L.) contains oil used for medicine, as an ingredient in shampoo, soap, hand lotion, high-speed lubricants, and as a coating material. Due to its high oil content, oil derived from castor seeds is currently proposed to be used as a feedstock for biodiesel production. The USDA, ARS, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit curates 1,033 castor accessions. The objectives of this study were to evaluate these 1,033 castor accessions for seed weight and oil content using nuclear magnetic resonance. Oil content among all castor accessions ranged from 37.2 to 60.6% with an average of 48.2%. One hundred seed weight ranged from 10.1 to 73.3 g with an average of 28.3 g. These results will be useful for castor breeders to develop improved germplasm as well as cultivars of castor containing high levels of oil for use as biodiesel.