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Title: RESULTS OF VERNONIA YIELD TESTS IN 1994.

Author
item Dierig, David
item BHARDWAJ, H. - VIRGINIA ST UNIV
item FOSTER, MICHAEL - TEXAS A&M
item NTERS, R, - UNIV OF MISSOURI
item ROSEBERG, R - OREGON ST UNIV
item Coffelt, Terry

Submitted to: New Crops National Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/18/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Vernonia (Vernonia galamensis) is a potential oilseed crop high in epoxy fatty acids. When used in paints and coatings, the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted is reduced. This is important since VOCs are a major contributor to air pollution. The range of adaptation for V. galamensis, a native of Africa, has not been determined in the U.S. One limiting factor to production in the U.S. is the lack of day neutral lines. Hybrids between short day lines and a day neutral line (A0399) have been made at the U.S. Water Conservation Lab. Uniform yield trials were established at five locations in 1994 to evaluate segregating lines from these crosses. Disease pressure at Phoenix resulted in no yields being recorded at this location. Significant differences in yields occurred among lines and locations. Seed yield means were 796,310,299, and 624 kg ha-1 for Virginia, Missouri, Texas, and Oregon, respectively. These results indicate Virginia and Oregon may be the most promising areas to grow Vernonia in the U.S. One line (29E-0R2-14) had a higher average yield (653 kg ha-1) than the 399 check (592 kg ha-1). However, there were significant G X E interactions. There also were indications of variability in stability among lines. These results indicate significant improvements in yield can be made through crossing and selecting within specific environments.