Evaluation of Ukrainian Camelina sativa germplasm productivity and analysis of its amenability for efficient biodiesel production

Abstract

Camelina or false flax ( Camelina sativa ) is an emerging crop that is currently considered one of the most promising feedstock for production of vegetable oil-based liquid biofuels: biodiesel and jet biofuel. Originally, camelina comes from the East European region, where this crop used to be widely cultivated before it was substituted with other oilseed crops, such as rapeseed, sunflower, etc. Due to increasing interest in biofuel production and sustainable agriculture, camelina has re-emerged as a viable oil-rich crop of multiple purposes. However, camelina varieties are not free from some undesirable traits, one of which is low yields. Over the recent years, extensive research efforts have been dedicated to breeding and improving this crop although this work has been restricted by limited genetic diversity of camelina. This limitation can be overcome by using unexploited germplasm, which previously was not involved into the camelina breeding process. In present study, we aimed to evaluate the productivity potential of unexploited Ukrainian spring camelina varieties and to perform comprehensive estimation of their suitability for use as oil feedstock for biodiesel production. The productivity data of all nine existing Ukrainian varieties of spring camelina was assessed for the 2001–19 period, based on the available data. It has been established that average productivity of the analyzed cultivars is 1756 kg/ha in the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe zone and 1146 kg/ha in the Steppe zone. The latter is characterized by a dryer climate, which significantly impacts spring camelina seed yields and thus their oil outputs, which are crucial for biofuel production. Potential rates of FAME- and FAEE-based biodiesel production have been evaluated. The conducted comprehensive analysis suggests that cultivation of spring camelina for biofuel production purposes can be more sustainable and feasible in the Forest-Steppe zone, rather than in the Steppe zone. Finally, a brief investigation of potential obstacles, impacting the production efficiency and feasibility of different biodiesel types, has also been conducted, as well as potential solutions were proposed for them. The obtained results create strong background for further efficient camelina breeding and for analyses of techno-economic feasibility of production camelina-based biofuels in Eastern Europe and specifically in Ukraine. • Performance of unexploited Ukrainian camelina germplasm was first evaluated. • Productivity of Ukrainian varieties of camelina was assessed for the 2001–19 period. • The average camelina yields were 1.76 t/ha in Forest-Steppe and 1.15 t/ha in Steppe. • Camelina oil yields depends more on seed yield, rather than seed oil content. • Biodiesel production rates were 726.53 and 374.96 L/ha in Forest-Steppe and Steppe.