The Scott Field Day on July 17 was once again a success. With over 200 people in attendance, a great line up of speakers, and the weather cooperating, what more can one ask for. The day provided a great deal of information on crops and agronomy so we have decided to do a two-part series as there is just so much to say. The focus of this article will be on mustards, particularly carinata, as half of the event was focused on the latest developments with this crop.
Mustard is a crop that may not have as many acres as canola but it is a crop that is having great advancements and one to watch. There are two main markets for mustards. Yellow, brown and oriental mustards are marketed mainly for use in condiments. A new kid on the block in Western Canada is Ethiopian mustard, otherwise known as Brassica carinata, or just carinata to some, and it is being developed for use as a source of industrial oil.
Dr. Kevin Falk, plant breeder with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, became interested in Ethiopian mustard as a potential oilseed crop for Saskatchewan as it is fairly drought tolerant. The original Ethiopian mustard varieties were very late, two to three weeks later than canola. Initial breeding efforts were successful at bringing the maturity closer to canola and currently it is around 110 days. Once maturity was reduced, breeding efforts began on oil content as original varieties were only 20 to 25 per cent oil. They now have varieties with 40 per cent oil and have newer varieties being developed that are pushing 50 per cent.
The next efforts in breeding are focused on characteristics of the oil that would make it more attractive to the industrial oil and fuel industry. The oil characteristics already make it more attractive than canola for biodiesel, and it is well suited to the jet fuel market.
In the late 90's double haploid technology was developed with carinata. This means they now have pure breeding lines that set the stage for developing hybrids. Falk commented that he expects to see hybrid carinata within five years. An advantage to carinata is that it is drought tolerant but is also does well under higher moisture conditions. Yields aren't comparable to canola yet, but with hybrid development yield potential should increase dramatically.
The markets for carinata are being developed and Agrisoma is playing a key role. Steve Fabijinski, CEO of Agrisoma, really sees an opportunity with carinata as an industrial oil, and as a sustainable source for biofuel. Europe and the United States do provide tax credits for the use of sustainable sources for biofuel and the certification process is underway for carinata. With extracting the oil, one must consider what to do with the meal. The process is also underway to get the meal approved for livestock feed in Canada which will open up the opportunity for local crushers.
Agrisoma is confident that carinata will be very attractive to growers, especially in the areas that are drier and less suited to canola production, such as southwest Saskatchewan. They see a potential for carinata to be grown on three to four million acres in Canada.
In Western Canada, Patterson Grain will be contracting production and Canterra Seeds will look after the seed production. Currently they are looking at a seed cost of approximately $30 per acre and they hope the pricing will be similar to canola which is around $13 per bushel.
Erin Johnson, weed biologist with Agriculture and AgriFood, provided growers with information on the agronomy of carinata. Weed control is an issue as no herbicide tolerant systems have been developed. Mustard herbicide is the only one that can be used currently. However, work is being done on developing herbicide tolerance in carinata and it is looking promising but is still years away.
Establishment is the first step when growing carinata. The recommended seeding rate is six pounds per acre, but Johnson comments that with some seed sizes, this may not be enough. Plant stands should be targeting the same as canola which is 80 to 100 plants per square metre or eight to ten plants per square foot. Below 40 plants per square metre, the yields start to decline.
Fertility requirements for carinata are similar to canola. However, Johnson suggests to use moderate sulfur rates until more work has been done as higher rates may induce undesirable qualities in the meal (high glucosinolates).
Carinata is showing some great advancements through plant breeding. The markets are developing and the certifications are in process. This is one crop to watch in the future.
For more information on projects at Scott and to find out about the 2014 field day visit www.warc.ca or call Sherrilyn Phelps, Regional Crops Specialist, North Battleford at 306-446-7475
- Phelps is Regional Crops Specialist, North Battleford Regional Services Branch
