Pollination of two oil‐producing plant species: Camelina (Camelina sativaL. Crantz) and pennycress (Thlaspi arvenseL.) double‐cropping in Germany

Abstract

AbstractCamelina and pennycress are two annual oil‐producing plant species that have recently gained attention as biofuel feedstock crops. Prior to commercial production, information on their breeding and pollination system is essential to ensure sustainable management. We conducted pollination experiments and observed flower visitors in an experimental double‐cropping system in southern Germany. We found that common camelina varieties were mainly self‐pollinated and yield of one variety seemed to benefit from insect visitation, whereas pennycress was predominantly wind pollinated. Camelina showed higher overall visitation rates by insects than pennycress. Flies and wild bees visited both crop species, but honey bees visited camelina only. We conclude that both oil crop species produce yield without pollinators but offer foraging resources for different insect taxa at times when few other crops and native plants are flowering.