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AIR3-CT94-2480
Crambe abyssinica, a comprehensive programme - Workshop - Part 2 - Agronomy and Breeding |
Investigations into the agronomic fundamentals of the cultivation of Crambe were carried out at three diluvial sites in north-east Germany from 1994 to 1996. Main points were varieties and origins, nitrogen fertilisation, seed-time, sowing rate and weed control. The investigation of 24 varieties and origins resulted in yields ranging from 2.72 to 3.19 t/ha on the average of the years. With the exception of the crude fat content the influence of environment on growth, yield and quality characteristics was always greater than the influence of the genotype. Moreover, no distinct differences could be found between the varieties and origins untreated from a breeding point of view. A total nitrogen requirement of 140 - 170 kg N/ha could be determined from fertilisation and soil supply. The fertiliser recommendation for the diluvial sites of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern amounts to about 90 - 120 kg N/ha. A splitting of N-application had no effect. A very high temperature dependence of field emergence and the period of emergence could be determined and represented with regression functions. An increase of the average daily mean temperature from 8°C to more than 11°C reduced the period of emergence from 16 to 10 days. An increase of 8°C to 14°C resulted in an improvement of field emergence from 45 to more than 95 %. Therefore sowing can only take place from the beginning of April if weather conditions permit it. A crop density of at least 150 plants/square m is necessary for the utilisation of yield potential of Crambe. For this purpose a sowing rate of 190 viable seeds/square metre (about 15 kg/ha) is sufficient under favourable weather conditions. 250 viable seeds/square metre (about 20 kg/ha) should be sown under unfavourable conditions to compensate for a low yield emergence. Elancolan (Trifluralin) and Elancolan K (Trifluralin + Napropramid) proved to be best suited for weed control in Crambe in presowing application. In postemergence Butisan S (Metazachlor) and Lontrel 100 (Clopyralid) are suitable to limited extent. Butisan S may damage Crambe under stress conditions, Lontrel 100 has a limited spectrum of activity. In postemergence Fusilade (Fluazifop-p-butyl) and Gallant (Haloxyfop) may be applied against monocotyledons without any problems. On the whole Crambe is quite worthy of cultivation in north-east Germany. An increase of field emergence, varieties with a higher performance and greater environmental stability as well as a broader spectrum of suitable herbicides are particularly necessary for improving profitability.
The results of a three-year study conducted in Po valley to compare the performance of six Crambe abyssinica varieties are reported and discussed. The cultivars were from USA ('Belann', 'Belenzian', 'C-29' and 'Meyer'), from Austria ('47112') and from Italy ('Mario'). Crambe showed an extremely good adaptability to the Italian environment, even if the climatic conditions during the three years of cultivation were very different. In the first year, in fact, the climatic conditions were optimal during the whole cultivation cycle, while in the second year a post-sowing period occurred, which reduced seedling emergence. In the last year the crop suffered abnormal high temperatures (more than 35 degrees C) during the maturation period. These events affected seed yield, which in the first year exceeded 3.2 t/ha (d.w.) as mean variety value, with 'Mario' reaching 3.7 t/ha. In the second year, the least productive due to low emergence, no statistically significant differences were found among varieties, unlike the first year. In the third year, mean variety seed production value was intermediate, confirming 'Mario' as one of the most productive cultivars. In the combined analysis of variance for all three years, no significant years x varieties interaction was found, evidencing a similar response of the varieties under different climatic conditions. There were statistically significant differences in oil yield among varieties only as mean values of the three years. The highest value was recorded for 'Mario', with more than 1 t/ha oil (d.w.), and the lowest for 'Belenzian' and 'Meyer'. Other agro-physiological characters were recorded, such as cycle length, flowering date, plant height and weight, root length, number of branches, leaf area index (LAI), glucose accumulation rate, seed number and weight per plant, thousand seed weight and seed/hull ratio. The cultivars were also compared for their qualitative performances (oil and protein seed content). The first one, in particular, was affected by agro-climatic conditions, with a significantly higher mean variety value (about 37%) in the first year, than in the other two.
In field experiments and in the greenhouse we analysed plant development, crop growth and seed formation in Crambe abyssinica. The aims were to identify the major constraints to high productivity in Crambe and to compare functioning and performance of Crambe with literature data on oilseed rape. Our studies were limited to favourable growing conditions only. Under these conditions dry matter (DM) production largely depends on radiation absorption by the green plant parts and the radiation use efficiency (RUE; the average value of DM production per unit intercepted radiation) approaches its baseline value. That baseline RUE is typical for a species or genotype and was used as a reference value to analyse crop performance. The measurements focused on the key processes of crop production, light interception, radiation use efficiency and DM partitioning and the data were integrated in a concise crop simulation model. Leaf growth and canopy longevity were strongly affected by temperature. Therefore, radiation interception could be described as a function of thermal time. Initial leaf area growth was fairly rapid; 90 - 95 % interception of radiation was attained approximately 400 degree days after emergence and that fraction interception was maintained until final harvest. For many species values for the RUE between 2.2 and 2.9 g per megajoule are found. For Crambe the RUE prior to flowering was at the low end of that range, which is partly explained by the high nitrogen content of the shoot and the high metabolic costs of reducing nitrate and synthesising protein. After first pod formation the RUE dropped to values between 0.5 and 0.7 per megajoule. The factors that were responsible for that low RUE were identified. DM yields after flowering were adjusted for losses of shed leaves and for the high metabolic costs of synthesising fat in the seed. The measured interception was adjusted by calculating interception from green leaf plus green pod area. These adjustments almost restored the RUE to values found before flowering. We explain the lower DM production per unit intercepted light by the small area of the pods. From beginning of pod formation the green leaf area decreased rapidly. In rapeseed, after flowering, the pods take over the assimilating activity. In Crambe the pod area index was 0.3 - 0.4 at most, which compares poorly with values between 1.5 and 2.0 found in rapeseed. This suggests that in Crambe after flowering most light is absorbed by plant parts having low assimilating activity. The proportion of seed in the biomass of Crambe was about 33 %. When the high oil and protein content are taken into account and seed biomass is adjusted to average plant composition, than about 45 % of biomass was seed. That figure varied little for different crops and is similar to data found in rapeseed. The simulation model was used to compare the productivity of Crambe with high-erucic acid rapeseed. Averaged over two very different years, the simulated Crambe crops produced 78 % of the biomass, 90 % of the seed yield, 78 % of the oil yield and 83 % of the erucic acid yield of unstressed rapeseed crops.
Interest in Crambe abyssinica has centered on the ability of the plant to produce a high quality oil containing erucic acid. Trials with Crambe were initiated in the mid 1970s, when 3 varieties were trialled with 2 seed rates. Yields obtained were encouraging at up to 2.0t. /ha seed. More recently, trials have been conducted by SAC in Scotland at 2 sites over the last 2 years. The crop failed at one site in both years due to drought and pest damage. At the other site, establishment was satisfactory and the crop grew vigorously in both years. The crop matured in early autumn and at an acceptable date for combining but yields were disappointing. Several agronomic assessments were carried out throughout the growth season. Emergence of the crop was slow, and weed competition was a problem. The crop was of moderate height (110 cm) but did not experience lodging. Work is ongoing to further evaluate this crop in comparison with other oil crops grown in Scotland.
PROSPECTS OF INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDISATION OF
CRAMBE ABYSSINICA
AND C. HISPANICA
H D Mastebroek and
H J P Marvin, DLO-Centre for Plant Breeding and
Reproduction Research
Interspecific hybridisation was performed between C abyssinica (n=45) and its wild relative C. hispanica (n=30). The F1 generation was back crossed with both parents. In the F2 until the FS generation, selection was conducted for DNA content, fertility, seed retention and agronomic performance. The F1 plants produced reasonable amounts of fertile pollen, which enabled back crossing with both parents. However, after self pollination hardly seeds were produced. The F1 plants showed the seed shattering characteristic of C hispanica but exhibited the glabrous leaves and tan hulls of C abyssinica. The successive generations obtained after self pollination showed a 3:1 segregation ratio for glabrous versus pubescent leaves. Seed retention and a black seed hull colour segregated irregularly and occurred at a lower frequency than 1:3. Only one of five progenies derived after selfing of back crosses with C hispanica segregated for seed retention. The F1 plants showed an intermediate DNA content. The DNA content of fertile plants in the F2 and F3 generations approached that of C abyssinica, except those obtained from the back cross with C hispanica. The best performing F3 and F5 lines equalled the C abyssinica parent for seed yield and content of oil and erucic acid. The variation for plant habit and earliness was increased. Back crossing was not necessary for restoration of the fertility. However, induction of seed retention in C. hispanic may require several back crosses.
At the ENEA Trisaia research centre (Rotondella, MT) trials were carried out to assess the adaptability to southern Italy environment of Crambe abyssinica Hochst ex R.E. Fries. In 1992 two Crambe varieties, "Belann" and "Belenzian", were cultivated adopting a two sowing dates, two seed quantities (10 and 20 Kg/ha) and two interrows (20 and 40 cm) scheme. The results of this trial suggested for 1993 the use of only one cultivar "Belenzian". The best time of sowing resulted to be the middle of march, with a yield of about 1000 Kg/ha and a content of oil of 27 %. Because of the modest yield likely due to the low levels of spring rains in southern Italy, in the season 1993-94 in addition to the spring sowing an autumnal sowing trial was also carried out.. The yield of the autumnal sowing resulted higher than that of the spring sowing. In fact, the best yield sowing (at the end of October) was an average 1446 Kg/ha, the oil content also improved from 27 % of the previous yield to 39 %. Seed and oil yield were not substantially influenced by interrow spacing nor by seed quantity. It can be concluded the Crambe abyssinica in South Italy, specially in Metapontino area, has a good adaptability to the autumnal sowing practice.
In 1995 six cultivars of Crambe abyssinica, an early and a late maturity genotype from the CPRO-DLO breeding programme and four cultivars from Cebeco, were compared in a replicated experiment. The experiment was sited on a sandy clay loam soil near Exeter in Devon. All cultivars were sown to a target density of 120 plants/square metre by adjusting seed rate for 1000 seed weight, germination percentage and an assumed field loss of 30%. Sowing took place on 1 May 1995 and was followed by a period of high rainfall, which adversely affected establishment. Plant density was below target, averaging 82 plants/square metre (range 63-116 plants/square metre). In the subsequent dry, sunny weather conditions crop growth was excellent, the crop reached an average height at maturity of 99cm (range 93-107cm). Flowering commenced on 24 June and continued until to 25 July, the maximum difference between the earliest and latest cultivars was 8 days. Cultivars showed no significant difference in seed maturity, harvesting of all cultivars was carried out by hand sampling, on 16 August. Seed yield averaged 3.5t/ha, there were significant differences between cultivars, Bel Ann and CEB9402 produced yields of 4t/ha. Seed oil content averaged 32.3% (range 29.9-34.7%) and contained on average 57.3% (range 56.0-58.6) erucic acid. CEB9402 produced the highest yield of oil and erucic acid. It was concluded that under the conditions of this experiment Crambe produced comparable yields to spring oilseed rape in southern England, and required a similar level of agronomic input.
Set-aside is now mainly used for oilseed crops production in Europe. Among them, Crambe abyssinica is a good candidate and the oil present also a lot of advantages for chemical industry. During three years, we have tried to identify the crop potential (yield / quality) and the main limiting factors that could affect the competitivity of this crop an set-a-side. From our results, there is clear evidence that if a 3 t/ha yield goal is possible, plant establishment (seed germination, plant density below 50 plants per sqare metre), crop growth (mainly dry matter accumulation from anthesis to maturity) are too often limiting factors to reach the potential. A special attention seems to be provided to seed-set: abortion rate and optimum temperature for seed-set need to be precisely defined. Fatty acid profiles are presented and compared to erucic oilseed rape. Simple models trying to establish relationship between yield, dry matter, yield components (number of pods, number of seed, thousand seed weight) are proposed to identify those limitations. Later, they could be used as tools for diagnosis of the crop behaviour in the field.
This abstract summarises the main results of 4 years of trial cultivation in Burgundy. Cultivation techniques are similar to those for rapeseed. The type of soil, its preparation and sowing are the main points to be taken into account. They are the key to good plant establishment and to good yield. Crambe does not grow well on stony and shallow soils. The soil must be deep, with a good moisture holding and rich. In loamy soils, the seedling is too weak to break the crust. Crambe is very sensitive to the soil structure. The soil must be ploughed or subsoiled in autumn so that the clods will be broken by the frost during winter. In spring, minimum working of the soil to avoid compaction is required. If necessary, rolling before sowing is sometimes necessary to have a regular seed bed depth, but rolling after sowing never gave good results. Sowing must be done at the end of March or beginning of April after the last frosts. The seed rate must be adapted according to germination (which can be as low as 50%) and to soil preparation in order to have a plant population of about 120 /150 plants /square metre. Hulled or dehulled seeds made no difference in our trials. Weed control was limited to pre-sowing treatments with trifluralin at 2.2 l /ha of a commercial product. When necessary, a specific herbicide against grasses may be used. P and K fertilisation can be limited to 60 units and N must be adapted to soil reserves, fertilisation above 130 units never improved the yield. Sulphur must be about 80 units /ha. Insects such as flea beetle and pollen beetle can be controlled by pyrethroid insecticides. As regards fungi, at flowering time, 1l of a commercial product containing carbendazim controls Slerotinia. In our area, Alternaria infections are late and no treatment could be justified. Harvest at the beginning of August never causes difficulties. Using these techniques, our best yield was 2.7 tonnes per ha of hulled seed.
Oil seed rape is traditionally grown in France and in 1996 its area was about 850 ~00 ha. As a consequence, its pests and diseases are present everywhere and they can cause damage on other brassicas such as Crambe. However, pesticides used for oilseed rape are safe and effective for Crambe. Problems with insects are as follows. At emergence, flea beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae) attack the young seedling causing pits in the cotyledons and in the leaves, that can result in the destruction of the seedling. At pre flowering time pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus) can eat the pollen in the flower buds and at the end of the plant life cycle aphids are sometimes present on the shoot. However, Crambe is much less attractive for these three insects, probably due to high levels of glucosinolates, than other brassicas such as volunteer rape and weeds (Sinapis, Raphanus, etc...). Common insecticides are effective for their control. In oil seed rape, damages due to Baris sp. Vary from year to year and seems to be more severe in stony soils. The larvae of this weevil are also present in Crambe from July onwards. They dig burrows in the tap root and feed from the pith which then looks like sawdust. Even when the root is not completely severed, the plant dries prematurely. As for rape, no treatment is possible. However, Baris is not a major problem because usually, Crambe is not currently grown on stony soils. As far as fungi are concerned Sclerotinia attacks are very dependent on areas and soils. Usually severe in loamy soils, the fungus may be absent in some clay soils. White greyish elongated spots appear on the stem and on the branches. The tissues become weak and tear causing the collapse of the plant. At the end of the plant life cycle, sclerotes can be found in the stem. In the USA, altemaria seems to be the major fungus disease in Crambe. In France it is present both on rape and on Crambe with the same symptoms: small black linear lesions occur on the stem and the branches. Frequently, stem lesions tend to coalesce. On the pods, little black spots progressively enlarge and may completely cover it. Till now no fungicide application has been made since the attack were late, not very severe and that the farmer hesitated to run over the crop. In some areas, at the beginning of ripening, the base of the stem turns black. Necrosis looking like phoma invades the stem. Some times, symptoms also look like "dry plants" in rape. Nevertheless, no pathogen could be identified. The plant dries prematurely.
Crambe was tested in a low-precipitation area, in the Upper Rhine Valley of Baden-Wurttemberg and Alsace. The region shows an average precipitation of 650 - 750 mm per year (0 300 mm May - August) and a high temperature means between 9,5 and 9,7 degrees C. During a period of three years 6 varieties were drilled in split plot trials between March, 7 and April, 27 (in one case May, 11), seed was 80 (1994) and 120 grains per sq. m (1995 - 1996). Amount of nitrogen fertiliser varied between 30 and 80 kg per hector. In 1995, in only one case, a herbicide (Butisan S = Metazachlor) and in 1996 an insecticide (Decis = Deltamethrin) against altise were applied. The results of the five varieties tested in 1996 were comparable to those gained for a Dutch and a 'German' variety in 1994 and 1995. In general yields of seed in dry tonnes (91 percent moisture) were between 19 and 23 per ha. A lower yield of CEB 9404-CR was caused by fungi, probablyfusarium. Under the above-mentioned climatic conditions a yield of about 20 dt/ha should be possible. Given the average oil content of 37% an oil yield of 7 dt/ha is attainable. The content of erucic acid reaches about 60 percent. All varieties and sites gave consistent results during the whole three-year period.
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Updated
by CPL Press:
03/07/2007
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