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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Plant Physiology and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #190403
Title: LESQUERELLA FENDLERI RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT SOWING DATES IN NORTHERN MEXICO

Author
item RODRIGUEZ GARCIA, R - SALTILLO MEXICO
item JASSO DE RODRIGUEZ, D - SALTILLO MEXICO
item ANGULO-SANCHEZ, J - SALTILLO MEXICO
item Dierig, David
item DIAZ SOLIS, H - SALTILLO MEXICO
item DE LA ROSE-LOERA, A - SALTILLO MEXICO

Submitted to: Proceedings Assoc for Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC) Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2005
Publication Date: 9/21/2005
Citation: Rodriguez Garcia, R., Jasso De Rodriguez, D., Angulo-Sanchez, J.L., Dierig, D.A., Diaz Solis, H., De La Rose-Loera, A. 2005. Lesquerella fendleri response to different sowing dates in northern mexico. pp 701-709. In M.J. Pascual-Villalobos, F.S. Nakayama, C.A. Bailey, E. Correal and W.W. Schloman, Jr. (ed.) Industrial Crops and Rural Development. Proceedings Assoc for Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC) Annual Meeting, Murcia, Spain, 17-21 September 2005.

Interpretive Summary: Lesquerella is a new oilseed crop for both the U.S. and Mexico. Before farmers can grow this new crop, it is important to determine the planting date to produce the optimum seed germination and seed yield. Lesquerella seeds were planted at three different dates in October, December, and March in Mexico. Plants from the December planting were taller and more productive in seed yield than the other two planting dates. Growers can expect better seed yields when following these guidelines to sow seed.

Technical Abstract: Lesquerella fendleri (Gray) Wats., is a Brassicacea native to northern Mexico and southern United States. The seeds contain an oil similar to castor oil that may be used for industrial applications. This crop may be an option for Mexican producers in the semiarid lands of the U.S., market imports 41,000 t of castor oil per year. This paper reports on the effect of sowing dates on seed yield and oil content in Lesquerella grown at Saltillo, northern Mexico. The plant was sown at three different dates (23 October 2003, 16 December 2003, and 17 March 2004) and harvested in 2004 on 15 May, 24 June, and 27 August, respectively. Irrigation was applied for germination and seedling establishment and to maintain soil moisture. The experimental design was a complete randomized block design with eight replications. Plant morphological variables as well as yield characteristics were measured and related to sowing dates and climatic conditions. Plant densities depended upon sowing date although within the reported for high hield. The best date for sowing was in December according to yield data. The oil content increased as a function of temperature. Infrared spectra of the seeds crude extracts showed different functional groups that varied with climatic conditions.