Challenges and opportunities for new industrial oilseed crops in EU-27: A review

Abstract

The growing demand for renewable feedstock as a substitute for petroleum-derived products offers a unique opportunity for conventional and new oilseeds in Europe. This review compares twenty-four oilseed species relative to oil composition and potential adaptability to different regions of Europe. Widely cultivated species, such as oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), and flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), are compared with new species, some of which are well documented in literature, while others are still underdeveloped. The possible geographical allocation in Europe is discussed taking into account physiological and agronomical constraints. Only vernonia (Vernonia galamensis L.) and stokes aster (Stokesia spp.) appear unsuitable to European environments due to obligated photoperiod requirements. Species such as Cuphea spp., echium (Echium plantagineum L.), borage (Borago officinalis L.), and euphorbia (Euphorbia lagascae L.) have still considerable physiological constraints, e.g., lack of seed retention, seed dormancy, and indeterminate growth. The scenario for honesty (Lunaria annua L.), lesquerella (Physaria fendleri L.), field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.), and calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) is less clear, as the proper agronomic management is still greatly unknown. Finally, Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata L.), brown mustard (B. juncea L.), crambe (Crambe abyssinica Cranz), meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba L.), and camelina (Camelina sativa L.) emerged as mature oilseed crops for large-scale cultivation and commercialization. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), and castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), are cultivated crops worldwide, and their re-introduction into Europe, could probably increase the number of oilseed crops cultivated in a short term.