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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #123049
Title: A NEW CROP FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM: FIRST MECHANICAL PLANTING AND HARVEST OF CUPHEA IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Author
item Phillips, Bliss
item Isbell, Terry

Submitted to: Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cuphea, a native plant to the Midwest, is a potential new crop for the Midwest which produces medium length saturated fatty acids (75% C10) currently only available from palm kernel oil and coconut oil. Cuphea will be used in the detergent industry and successful domestication would result in a rotational crop with corn and soybeans while not in competition with either of these crops. Problems previously preventing large-scale planting involved seed dormancy and seed shattering. A new cross of C. lancelota and viscosissima offers resistance to these problems. This cross was mechanically planted and harvested in Central Illinois along side of a soybean field. The primary purpose was to increase seed supply as well as develop initial planting, harvest, and post harvest information. Other problems with this plant involve a plant adhesive coating and non-determinacy. These problems along with non-statistical results and problems associated with post harvest cleaning will be discussed.