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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 #270292
Title: Seed oil development of pennycress under field conditions

Author
item AYALA-DIAZ, I - Iowa State University
item MAREK, LAURA - Iowa State University
item Isbell, Terry
item WESTGATE, M - Iowa State University
item Gardner, Candice

Submitted to: Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/11/2011
Publication Date: 9/11/2011
Citation: Ayala-Diaz, I.M., Marek, L., Isbell, T., Westgate, M., Gardner, C.A. 2011. Seed oil development of pennycress under field conditions [abstract]. Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Conference. p. 5.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pennycress (Thlaspi sp) has been targeted as a potential oilseed for the biofuels industry. Its seeds contain ~36% oil, where erucic acid is the major fatty acid presented with 38.1%. Additionally, the physical proprieties of the methyl esters are in the range to satisfy the needs of the biodiesel market. This species has also shown novel biofumigant characteristics from the meal of their seeds (volatile compounds). Due to its valuable characteristics (spring and winter types, cold tolerance, early harvesting, fatty acid profile, etc.), pennycress could be used as a crop in the Midwest. However, agronomic issues should be studied to overcome practical limitations. Harvest must occur when seeds are mature and oil content has reached its maximum value. The objective of the study was to determine how the rate of oil accumulation during the last stages of seed development of Thalspi arvense accessions may vary, and to apply this knowledge to make wise harvest decisions. The samples were harvested from a 2010 fall planting experiment at the PI-USDA-ISU in Ames, Iowa. Three accessions were selected due to their different maturation rates. Each accession was sampled six times prior to seed maturation and harvest; an early maturating accession was sampled five times instead of six, at intervals of four days until harvest time. The results will be analyzed to test the hypothesis that rates of oil development vary between accessions, and to determine whether the maximum concentration rate is obtained immediately prior to seed physiological maturity and the time course of moisture content change.