ARS | Publication request: LESQUERELLA PRODUCTION AT DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 15, 2004
Publication Date: November 3, 2004
Citation: Dierig, D.A., Adam, N.R., Dahlquist, G.H., Coffelt, T.A. 2004. Lesquerella production at different elevations. Agronomy Abstracts. CD-Rom (6434)

Technical Abstract: The production regions for lesquerella, a potential new oilseed crop for hydroxy fatty acid production, are not defined yet. This crop has a wide range of natural distribution in the Southwestern US. Plants were established at four different sites in Arizona ranging from 300 to 900 m in elevation to measure the effect of temperature on plant growth, stage of growth, seed production, and harvest index. The sites included Phoenix, Tucson, Safford,and Patagonia Arizona. Measurements were taken every two weeks, beginning the first of March, at the onset of flowering, and continued until June at each location when plant were harvested. Two species of Lesquerella, L. fendleri and L. pallida were grown for this experiment. The two lower elevations sites at 300 and 500 m were similar in growth, growth stage and yield. The two higher elevation sites at 700 and 900 m were also similar in growth but significantly lower than the lower elevation sites. It appeared that lesquerella could be produced up to 500 m but below 700 m.