Nutrient Requirements of Camelina for Biodiesel Feedstock in Central Montana

Abstract

Core IdeasThe responses of camelina seed and oil yields to nutrient applications were substantial compared with the control treatment.Trend analysis showed that camelina requires about 60 kg ha−1N to achieve agronomic optimum seed and oil yields.This agronomic data will help policy makers, researchers, growers, and end users to make decision in the production and processing of camelina as energy crop.Camelina (Camelina sativaL. Crantz) shows potential to provide an alternative renewable energy source and enhance crop diversification in temperate semiarid regions. Information on the effect of N, P, K, and S on yield and quality of camelina for biodiesel feedstock in the northern Great Plains (NGP) of the United States is limited. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of the above nutrients on seed and oil yields, test weight, oil concentration and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (ANUE) of camelina on a clay loam soil in central Montana. Results showed that fertilizer treatments significantly affected seed yield, oil concentration and oil yield of camelina. The seed and oil yields ranged from 677 to 1306 kg ha−1and from 234 to 445 kg ha−1, respectively. Although the highest seed and oil yields were obtained from the application of 134–22–22–28 kg ha−1N–P2O5–K2O–S, they were statistically in the same group with yields achieved from the application of only 45 kg ha−1N. Application of P and S fertilizers increased camelina seed yield compared with the control treatment. There was no response to K fertilization. Simultaneous application of N and S did not show synergistic effects in enhancing ANUE. The ANUE reduced with increasing N application rates. From trend analysis, application of 60 kg ha−1N produced agronomic maximum seed and oil yields. Therefore, optimizing camelina seed and oil yields production with regard to nutrient management using current variety should focus on N fertilization.