Comparative analysis of oil and protein content and seed yield of five Brassicaceae oilseeds on the Canadian prairie

Abstract

Plant-based protein is generally preferred for human consumption, while vegetable oil is becoming increasingly popular for industrial uses. It is of importance to evaluate the oil and protein production potential of non-traditional Brassicaceae oilseeds for use as feedstock. In this study, oil and protein contents and their relationship with seed yield were determined for oriental mustard (Brassica juncea L.), canola (Brassica napus L.), camelina (Camelina sativa L.), Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun), and yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) grown across diverse environments. These oilseeds were studied at Lethbridge, Scott, and Swift Current on the Canadian prairie during 2014–2016. Seed oil and protein contents had an inverse relationship with a wide variation among the oilseeds. Oil and protein contents of canola were 48 and 22%, respectively, while S. alba had the lowest oil (29%) but the highest protein (34%) contents. The oil yield (oil concentration by seed mass) was significantly higher in canola (1358 kg ha−1) compared with other oilseeds. Protein yield was in a narrow range with the highest in canola and S. alba (617 and 597 kg ha−1, respectively), and the lowest in camelina (456 kg ha−1). Oil yield was generally higher in site-years with higher precipitation combined with lower temperature during grain filling, whereas protein yield did not have a consistent trend with growing conditions. Considering oil and protein yields across site-years, B. juncea and carinata could be considered as potential alternatives to conventional rapeseed as industrial feedstock sources on the Canadian prairies.