Phenotypic Examination of Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz Accessions from the USDA-ARS National Genetics Resource Program.

Sara K Hotton,James G Thomson,Ron Chan,Thomas Mckeon,Hugh A Young,Nathan J Thomson,Bryan T Hernandez,Jenny Brichta,Meridith Kammerzell,Christian Tobias

doi:10.3390/plants9050642

Abstract

Camelina sativa (L.) Crntz. is a hardy self-pollinated oilseed plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family; widely grown throughout the northern hemisphere until the 1940s for production of vegetable oil but was later displaced by higher-yielding rapeseed and sunflower crops. However, interest in camelina as an alternative oil source has been renewed due to its high oil content that is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants as well as its ability to grow on marginal lands with minimal requirements. For this reason, our group decided to screen the existing (2011) National Genetic Resources Program (NGRP) center collection of camelina for its genetic diversity and provide a phenotypic evaluation of the cultivars available. Properties evaluated include seed and oil traits, developmental and mature morphologies, as well as chromosome content. Selectable marker genes were also evaluated for potential use in biotech manipulation. Data is provided in a raw uncompiled format to allow other researchers to analyze the unbiased information for their own studies. Our evaluation has determined that the NGRP collection has a wide range of genetic potential for both breeding and biotechnological manipulation purposes. Accessions were identified within the NGRP collection that appear to have desirable seed harvest weight (5.06 g/plant) and oil content (44.1%). Other cultivars were identified as having fatty acid characteristics that may be suitable for meal and/or food use, such as low (<2%) erucic acid content, which is often considered for healthy consumption and ranged from a high of 4.79% to a low of 1.83%. Descriptive statistics are provided for a breadth of traits from 41 accessions, as well as raw data, and key seed traits are further explored. Data presented is available for public use.

Highlights

Renewable energy sources including esterified vegetable oil have been proposed as a possible option to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector
A and B designation were given to accession obtained from the National Genetic Resources Program (NGRP) center that contained more than two unique phenotypes. a Defined as the rapid development of the first flower stalk or central stem. b Defined as time when greater than 50% of all floret within the initial composite flower are open. c Maximum height of plant as determined at initial flowering
A and B designation were given to accession obtained from the NGRP center that contained more than two unique phenotypes. a Oil content (OC)—oil content b thousand seed weight (TSW)—Thousand Seed Weight

Summary

Introduction

Renewable energy sources including esterified vegetable oil (i.e., biodiesel) have been proposed as a possible option to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector. Current widely used oilseed for producing biofuel include rapeseed, sunflower (Europe), soybean (USA), and palm oils (tropical regions). In comparison to these other oilseed plants, Camelina sativa (L.) Crntz. Plants 2020, 9, 642 has a very short life cycle (52 to 72 days) and is economical to grow on marginal lands due to minimal nutritional input requirements It further has the capacity for both summer and winter crop production. The plant is native to northern Europe and Southeast Asia and is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) This ancient crop has previously been used for cooking, cosmetics, and fuel oil [1]

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Conclusion