Camelina Growth and Yield Response to Planting Rate and Depth.

Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) shows good potential as an alternative oilseed feedstock for northern and western U.S. Developing sound agronomic practices will be vital to optimizing its oil yield potential. Camelina plant stand establishment has been problematic in some environments. In part, this may be related to its small seed size and current recommendations to plant it shallow. Shallow planting can diminish seed to soil contact and expose seeds to greater fluctuations in temperature and moisture, which greatly affect germination and emergence. A 2-year field study was conducted on a Barnes loam soil in west central Minnesota USA to determine the effects of seeding rate and depth on emergence, plant growth, and seed yield of spring camelina (cv. CO46). Three planting depths (1, 2, and 4 cm) and three seeding rates (2, 3, and 6 kg ha^-1) were tested in the study. Seedling emergence and final plant stands decreased with increased planting depth and decreased seeding rate. Seed yields were affected by planting depth but not rate. On average, seed yields were decreased 21 to 29 % when seeded at 4 cm, but there was no difference between the 1 and 2 cm depths. The amount of seed per plant increased with decreased plant population associated with increased planting depth and decreased rate, but harvest index was not affected nor was seed oil content. Results indicate that camelina has good yield plasticity and demonstrate that planting depth can be increased from what has been commonly recommended without sacrificing yield. Planting deeper may be beneficial for certain soils prone to large temperature and moisture fluctuations at planting time.