Comparison of Oilseed Crops with Wheat and Barley in a Dry Mediterranean Climate

Abstract

SummaryThe best available varieties of barley, durum wheat, rapeseed, safflower and sunflower were compared for their yield of grain and oil and other traits under rainfed conditions and with supplementary irrigation in the relatively dry Mediterranean climate of Cyprus. The grain yields of the oilseed crops safflower and rapeseed when grown under conditions of plentiful rainfall or with supplementary irrigation were 3–5 t ha−l. Considering the high prices of oilseeds on the world market, the income from oil crops compares favourably with that from barley and wheat. However, under conditions of limited rainfall (300 mm) and without supplementary irrigation the yields of oilseed crops were extremely poor, at the most 0.6 t ha−1. Grain and oil yields of irrigated safflower and rapeseed were larger than those of sunflower. Among the oilseed crops, sunflower received most irrigation water and rapeseed the least. Under rainfed conditions, with precipitation less than 300 mm, cereals were the only successful crops. It is concluded that in the high rainfall areas of West Asia and North Africa, or with supplementary irrigation, including treated municipal wastewater, oilseed crops can be successfully grown.