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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #256780
Title: Adaptability of irrigated spring canola oil production to the U.S. High Plains

Author
item PAVLISTA, D - University Of Nebraska
item SANTRA, D - University Of Nebraska
item Isbell, Terry
item BALTENSPERGER, D - Texas A&M University
item HERGERT, G - University Of Nebraska
item KRALL, J - University Of Wyoming
item MESBACH, A - University Of Wyoming
item JOHNSON, J - Colorado State University
item O'NEIL, M - New Mexico State University
item AIKEN, R - Kansas State University
item BERRADA, A - Colorado State University

Submitted to: Industrial Crops and Products
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/4/2010
Publication Date: 1/1/2011
Citation: Pavlista, D.A., Santra, D.K., Isbell, T., Baltensperger, D.D., Hergert, G.H., Krall, J., Mesbach, A., Johnson, J., O'Neil, M., Aiken, R., Berrada, A. 2011. Adaptability of irrigated spring canola oil production to the U.S. High Plains. Industrial Crops and Products. 33:165-169.

Interpretive Summary: Canola was evaluated for production in western Nebraska where limited water resources limits potential crop production. A series of canola varieties was evaluated over a latitude transect and date of planting was also varied. Planting date, latitude, and variety all impacted seed yield, oil content, and fatty acid composition. Seed yields ranged from 874–2362 Kg/Ha across the study with oil contents of 35-41%. This study demonstrated that canola is a suitable agronomic crop for this growing region of the country.

Technical Abstract: Canola oil is high in oleic acid which is commonly used for food and industrial purposes. To determine adaptability of spring canola (Brassica napus L.) to the High Plains for industrial oil production, 26 irrigated trials were conducted from 2005-2008. Trials were divided into five regions: (1) 36-37oN 108oW; (2) 39-40oN 101-103oW; (3) 41-42oN 102-103oW; (4) 41-42oN 104oW; and (5) 43-44oN 106-108oW. Cultural practices were based on site-specific protocols. Four cultivars, Hyola 401, Hyola 357 Magnum, SW Marksman, and SW Patriot, were planted in replicated plots in April or May under standard irrigation and harvested in July to October depending on the region. Seed yields for Hyola 401 and Hyola 357 Magnum were higher than SW Marksman and SW Patriot across the five regions and within Regions 1, 2, 3, and 5. Regions 1, 2 and 3 yielded significantly greater than did Regions 4 and 5. Samples from 18 trials were examined for their oil content and fatty acid distribution. The four cultivars had greater than 38% oil content; SW Marksman and SW Patriot had higher oil content than Hyola 401 and Hyola 357 Magnum. Higher oil content was achieved in Regions 1, 4 and 5. Across and within regions, the percent of oleic acid did not differ for the four cultivars. The mean content of oleic acid decreased going north from Region 2 to Region 5, as did seed yield in the High Plains. Linoleic acid increased going north from Region 1. Linolenic acids showed little variation across regions. Considering yield and total oil content together, growing spring canola would be excellent in the High Plains.