Evaluation of Winter Oilseed Crops in Corn-Soybean Rotations in the Western Corn Belt.

Field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) is regarded as a leading feedstock for hyroprocessed renewable jet fuel production in the aviation industry’s attempt to increase renewable fuel adoption. A field study was designed to quantify production potential of field pennycress and to evaluate the potential of integrating pennycress into corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations in the western Corn Belt. In a dryland environment, yields were 392 and 767 kg ha^-1 in 2014 and 2015, respectively, while a yield of 697 kg ha^-1 was observed in an irrigated environment in 2015. Fertilizer N rate (0, 40, and 80 kg N ha^-1) and corn residue management (retained vs. harvested) treatments had no effect on pennycress yield in any environment. Soybean yield was not influenced by the previous cropping of pennycress in either environment in 2014. These preliminary results suggest that corn-soybean rotations in the western Corn Belt can be intensified with field pennycress without adversely affecting subsequent soybean yield in the near-term.