Examining the Feasibility of Several Oilseed Crops for Production in the Inland Pacific Northwest.

The U.S. remains highly dependent on fossil fuel imports, which has heightened interest in producing biodiesel and bio-jet fuel from vegetable oils, including oil from Brassicaceae species.  In addition, several Brassicaceae oilseed species have shown potential as valuable rotation crops with small grain cereals that predominate in northern Idaho and other dry land areas of the Pacific Northwest. However, few studies have examined the physiological growth pattern, basic plant morphology, and reaction to local pests and diseases of these crop species in side-by-side comparisons.  In this study we examined general adaptability, seed yield and seed oil content of three fall planted winter species (Brassica napus B. rapa and Camelina sativa) and six spring planted species (B. napus, Sinapis alba, B. juncea, B. caranata B. rapa and C. sativa) to assess the potential of producing these oilseed crops and their economic value is estimated in our region.  In addition, this study will determine how each species is impacted by abiotic and biotic stresses and quantify potential rotational benefits to subsequent winter wheat planted following each oilseed crop.  Results from the first winter crop season and two spring crop seasons are presented along with rotation effects of the spring and winter oilseed crops on following soft white winter wheat production.