Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Weed and Insect Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #423791
Research Project: Biology of Weed-Crop Interactions to Improve Weed Management Strategies in Northern Agro-ecosystems

Location: Weed and Insect Biology Research

Title: Nitrogen rates affect seed yield and carbon intensity in spring and winter camelina

Author
item BERTI, MARISOL - North Dakota State University
item MOROCHO-LEMA, MARISOL - North Dakota State University
item Anderson, James
item LIZARAZO-TORRES, CLARA - Neste Corporation

Submitted to: Industrial Crops and Products
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/3/2025
Publication Date: 7/10/2025
Citation: Berti, M., Morocho-Lema, M., Anderson, J.V., Lizarazo-Torres, C. 2025. Nitrogen rates affect seed yield and carbon intensity in spring and winter camelina. Industrial Crops and Products. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121473.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121473

Interpretive Summary: Camelina is considered a low carbon intensity feedstock for sustainable aviation fuels in the USA and Europe. To determine how seed yield and carbon intensity (CI) of camelina are affected by nitrogen rates (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg ha-1), CI was estimated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology from ‘cradle to farm gate’. Based on experiments conducted in Minnesota and North Dakota in 2023-2024, all seed yield and CI data obtained from this study highlighted the huge impact that seed yield has on CI, with a strong negative correlation observed between seed yield and CI. Overall, the results of this study suggest that various N rates can increase camelina seed yields, and these seed yield increases can offset the resulting increase in CI due to application of N fertilizer and resulting greenhouse gas emissions. Based on this study, N application rates should be less than 40 kg N ha-1 to minimize CI. Thus, depending on seed yields obtained and N fertilizer rate applied, camelina can be classified as a low CI crop.

Technical Abstract: Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] has been selected as a low carbon intensity feedstock for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the USA and Europe. The objective of this research was to determine how seed yield and carbon intensity (CI) of spring and winter camelina are affected by nitrogen rates (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg ha-1). Three experiments were conducted in Glyndon, MN and Fargo and Prosper, ND in 2023-2024 using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Carbon intensity was estimated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology from ‘cradle to farm gate’. Spring camelina seed yield was 1521 kg ha-1 at the highest N rate of 80 kg N ha-1, while the maximum seed yield for winter camelina was obtained with 55 kg N ha-1. In 2023, the minimum CI for spring camelina (33.6 g CO2e MJ-1) was obtained with 34 kg N ha-1, and the minimum CI for winter camelina (28 g CO2e MJ-1) was obtained with 33 kg N ha-1. Plotted data from all seed yield and CI data obtained from this study highlighted the huge impact that seed yield has on CI, with a strong negative correlation observed between seed yield and CI. The regression model indicated the minimum CI (22.1 g CO2e MJ-1) was obtained with a seed yield of 1557 kg ha-1. In the rainfed areas in the northern Great Plains, camelina can easily produce seed yields of ~ 1000 kg ha-1, which would have a CI of 34.5 g CO2e MJ-1. Overall, the results of this study suggest that various N rates can increase camelina seed yields, and these seed yield increases can offset the resulting increase in CI due to N fertilizer and N2O field emissions. Based on this study, N application rates should be less than 40 kg N ha-1 to minimize CI. Thus, depending on seed yield obtained and N fertilizer rate applied, camelina can be classified as a low CI crop.