Camelina production parameters response to different irrigation regimes

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of different irrigation rates (IR) on the morphological characteristics, grain yield, oil concentration, oil, and estimated biodiesel production of five camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] cultivars. During the spring of 2017 and 2018, treatments were laid out at the University of Nevada, Reno, Main Station Field Laboratory in a split-plot arrangement (main plot = irrigation; subplot = cultivar) using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Data collected were light interception, leaf area, SPAD chlorophyll index, plant height, and grain yield. Treatment means were considered different at P < 0.05. The quantity of light intercepted was not altered by irrigation rate, cultivar or their interactions. The average light intercepted was 63 % among the five cultivars of camelina and three irrigation rates. Leaf area index was not affected by IR (average = 4.4), cultivar (average = 4.41), or their interactions. There was a three-way interaction of IR × cultivar × year on SPAD value. At medium-IR, the SPAD value of the cultivar Yellowstone (49.1) was greater than that of Columbia (34.3; SEM = 3.5) in 2017. Across IR during 2017, the cultivar Yellowstone had greater SPAD value at medium-IR (49.1) compared to full-IR (38.4; SEM = 3.5). There was a linear increase in grain yield (P = 0.011) as IR increased from low- (770 kg/ha) to full-IR (1013 kg/ha). Grain oil concentration was greater at medium-IR (333.2 g/kg) compared to low- (317.7 g/kg) and full-IR (321.6 g/kg). Cultivar had no effect on grain yield, oil concentration, oil, and biodiesel production of camelina in this study. Based on grain yield, oil, and biodiesel responses, camelina can be successfully grown at an IR of 75 % of reference evapotranspiration in low precipitation environments like Nevada.