Sensitivity of winter and spring camelina to salinity during germination

Authors: BERTI, MARISOL - North Dakota State University; MOROCHO-LEMA, MARISOL - North Dakota State University; Anderson, James

Submitted to: Industrial Crops and Products
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/27/2025
Publication Date: 6/4/2025
Citation: Berti, M.T., Morocho-Lema, M., Anderson, J.V. 2025. Sensitivity of winter and spring camelina to salinity during germination. Industrial Crops and Products. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121293.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121293

Interpretive Summary: Camelina is a promising oilseed crop and feedstock for the sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) industry. However, incorporation of camelina into rotational cropping systems of colder climates and soils should avoid direct and indirect land use change impacting food production. Camelina is reported to have salinity tolerance and able to establish in marginal lands not suitable for major commodities, however, there is little knowledge on how different biotypes (spring and winter) of camelina tolerate exposure to different salts and salt concentrations. This study determined the seed germination and vigor of a spring (C046) and a winter (Joelle) biotype of camelina under varying salt treatments. The winter biotype of camelina consistently produced significantly lower values for measured parameter than the spring biotype. Averaged across varieties and salt concentrations, sodium sulfate reduced germination, vigor, and seedling dry weight more than sodium chloride or calcium chloride. The differential sensitivity to salinity between the winter and spring biotype will allow use to screen a population of 254 individuals developed by crossing these two biotypes and to identifying genetic regions and underlying candidate genes for salinity tolerance in camelina. Results from this and future research will help breeders and genetic engineers improve salinity tolerance in camelina, and for growers to meet the needs of the SAF industry.

Technical Abstract: Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) is an oilseed of interest as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuels due to its low carbon intensity. However, it is proposed for production as an intermediate crop between major commodities, on what would otherwise be fallow land, or on marginal lands to avoid direct and indirect land use change emissions. Camelina is reported to have salinity tolerance and able to establish in marginal lands but there is no knowledge on how the different biotypes (spring and winter) tolerate exposure to different salts and salt concentrations. The objective of this study was to determine seed germination and vigor of spring camelina (C046) and winter camelina (Joelle) under salinity and sodicity. A total of 50 seeds and a subset of 15 seeds were germinated in Petri dishes saturated with solutions of NaCl, CaCl2, and Na2SO4 at concentrations of 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 mM L-1, in an incubator set to a constant temperature of 20°C and light. Germinated seeds were counted daily for 7 days. The set of 50 seeds was used to calculate the germination rate and velocity, vigor index, corrected germination rate index (CGRI), and seedling fresh and dry weight. The subset of 15 seeds was used to measure hypocotyl and radicle length using ImageJ. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replicates. The results indicated that the interaction between salt type and variety differed significantly (p<0.05) for vigor index, CGRI, seedling fresh weight, and hypocotyl and radicle length. The salt concentration by variety was significant for vigor index, CGRI, seedling fresh and dry weight, and hypocotyl length. With the exception for seedling dry weight and hypocotyl length, the winter biotype of camelina produced significantly lower values for measured parameter than the spring biotype. Averaged across varieties and salt concentrations, Na2SO4 reduced germination, vigor, and seedling dry weight more than NaCl and CaCl2. In addition, Na2SO4 almost completely inhibited radicle and hypocotyl growth at concentrations > 80 mM L-1. This is of significance, because Na2SO4 is commonly present in sodic soils in the northern Great Plains. However, while camelina can germinate and establish in saline and sodic soils, this does not necessarily mean it will be productive. In sodic soils, sodium disrupts soil structure and reduces water infiltration, which inhibits root growth.