ARS | Publication request: EFFECTS OF SALINITY ON LESQUERELLA AT THREE LOCATIONS

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 4, 2003
Publication Date: November 6, 2003
Citation: DIERIG, D.A., RODRIGUEZ, D., FOSTER, M.A., GRIEVE, C.M., DAWSON, H., RODRIGUEZ, R. EFFECTS OF SALINITY ON LESQUERELLA AT THREE LOCATIONS. AGRONOMY ABSTRACTS. 2003.

Technical Abstract: A released salt tolerant line of Lesquerella fendleri (WCL-SL1) was planted at Navidad, Coahuila, Mexico; Pecos, Texas; and Phoenix, Arizona, in saline conditions and compared to two unselected check lines for comparison. Lesquerella is a potential new industrial oilseed crop containing hydroxy fatty acids suitable to be grown in Southwestern U.S. The oil has applications as lubricants, biobased motor oils, novel plastics, protective coatings, cosmetics, surfactants, drying agents, and pharmaceuticals. The objectives of this study were to compare plant growth and seed oil traits in response to saline irrigation and further select for salt tolerance within this germplasm line at these environments. The locations were selected based on the high saline conditions. Plants were both seeded and transplanted in the field at the three locations in a randomized complete block design. Plant measuremnets during the growing season included emeregence and survival counts, plant heights, widths, and dry weights. Soil ECe measurements were taken at depths of 00.3 m, 0.3 - 0.6, and 0.6 - 0.9 m both at planting and before harvest. Ion compositions of plants during the growing season were also analyzed. WCL-SL1 has significantly higher growth than unselected lines. Selection based on plant performance will allow for more uniform growth in future planting in these areas.