Wind Erosion Potential From Oilseed Cropping Systems in the US Pacific Northwest.

The United States has set a goal of producing 36 billion gallons of biofuel by 2022 with 21 billion gallons being derived from advanced biofuels. The Pacific Northwest is expected to contribute 5% of this need for advanced biofuels. Although interest is increasing in growing oilseed crops, little is known concerning the impact of growing oilseed crops on the environment. We examined the impact of growing oilseeds in a wheat-fallow rotation on wind erosion and PM10 (particles ≤10µm in diameter) emissions in eastern Washington state where atmospheric PM10 is an acute environmental concern. Wind erosion and PM10 emissions were measured at the end of the fallow phase of a winter wheat-fallow versus a winter wheat-camelina-fallow rotation or a winter wheat-safflower-fallow rotation. A portable wind tunnel was used to assess sediment flux and PM10 emissions after sowing but prior to wheat emergence. Our results indicate up to a nearly 250% increase in sediment and PM10 flux from the wheat-oilseed-fallow rotation compared with the wheat-fallow rotation. Our results suggest that wind erosion and PM10 emissions will be accentuated by growing oilseeds in traditional wheat-fallow systems in the Pacific Northwest.