Camelina Sativa Research Articles

Comparative analysis of Camelina sativa and fungal industrial lipases used for biodiesel production

Aim. To identify the genes of false flax (Camelina sativa) endogenous lipases and to analyze the sequence similarity of their key functional domains with those of commercially available lipases. Methods. A detailed search of the databases was carried out in order to identify the sequences of lipases of various species, as well as their sequences were aligned, conservative sequence motifs were identified, the domain structure of the detected proteins was established, and phylogenetic analysis was carried out. Results. 15 triacylglycerol lipase genes were identified, and corresponding sequences of lipases for commercially available products were identified as well. Their domain structure was analyzed, and the level of sequence divergence of their functional regions was also revealed. Conclusions. The lipases that are most similar in terms of sequence and domain organization to the lipases of false flax have been identified, and therefore could potentially be used for more effective transesterification of oil with a specific fatty acid composition for this species.

К ВОПРОСУ О ТЕРМИЧЕСКОЙ ОБРАБОТКЕ СЕМЯН РЫЖИКА ПОСЕВНОГО ДЛЯ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ В ЖИВОТНОВОДСТВЕ

Ginger seed (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) is a promising oilseed crop for use in animal husbandry. Ginger seed oil contains a large amount of fatty polyunsaturated acids, which are an indispensable component of nutrition, as they participate in many biochemical reactions of the animal body. The study of the content of fatty acids in ginger seeds after their heat treatment by micronization, which were later used in experimental feeding of dairy cows. An advanced device for heat treatment of grain and beans was used for micronization of seeds. Several processing modes were used depending on the number of halogen lamps included. A study of the quantitative composition of fatty acids in the milk of cows fed with heat-treated ginger seeds was carried out. When using one or two cassettes with halogen lamps during temperature treatment, the ratio of the total amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in seed oil does not change significantly. The content of palmitic acid after treatment increased by about 8%, stearic acid – by 3%, linoleic acid – by 2%. The content of oleic acid decreased by 3%, eicosenic acid – by 1%. The feeding of heat–treated ginger seeds to dairy cows as part of the feed mixture did not significantly change the species composition of fatty acids in milk, but contributed to an increase in the amount of some particularly valuable fatty acids for the body - linoleic (1.3 times) and linolenic (2.7 times).

Effect of Potassium Doses on Agricultural Characteristics of Camelina Sown in Winter and Summer Season

This research carried out in Konya ecology, Arslanbey camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] genotype which was planted in 2 different times as winter and summer, in the vegetation period of 2020, was determined at 6 different doses (0 kg da-1, 10 kg da-1, 15 kg da-1, 20 kg da-1, 25 kg da-1, 30 kg da-1) potassium sulphate fertilizer was applied to the soil and its effects on some agricultural properties were determined. Field trials of the study were established according to the Random Blocks trial design with 3 replications. As the results of the research in summer plantings, plant height 50.23-54.01 cm, number of branches per plant 5.60-8.80, number of capsules per plant 30.87-58.80, number of seeds per capsule 14.10-17.60, first capsule height 39.55-45.28 cm, seed yield per plant 0.28-1.27 grams, the number of seeds per plant 252.53-1166.13, thousand grain weight 0.78-1.12 grams, grain yield 63.76-77.75 kg da-1, oil rate 22.54%-29.66%, oil yield between 14.05-22.25 kg da-1. Additionally, the values obtained as a result of the winter planting of camelina; plant height 52.04-57.74 cm, number of branches per plant 8.33-11.70, number of capsules per plant 199.80-274.67, number of seeds in capsule 11.50-13.23, height of first capsule 41.01-47.17 cm, grain yield 1.24-1.65 grams per plant, number of seeds per plant 1754.43-2424.00 pieces, thousand grain weight 0.69-0.85 grams, grain yield 80.65-125.93 kg da-1, oil rate 14.47-18.77%, oil yield 11.97-19.74 kg da-1. It can be said that it is essential to carry out long-term different agronomic studies in different locations related to camelina, an important and alternative oil plant.

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz as a Promising Cover Crop Species with Allelopathic Potential

The ability of plants to release chemicals that affect the growth of other plants offers potential benefits for weed management and sustainable agriculture. This review explores the use of Camelina sativa as a promising cover crop with weed control potential. Camelina sativa, known for its high oil content and adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, exhibits allelopathic potential by releasing chemical compounds that inhibit weed growth. The crop’s vigorous growth and canopy architecture contribute to effective weed suppression, reducing the prevalence and spread of associated pathogens. Furthermore, the chemical compounds released by camelina through the solubilization of compounds from leaves by rain, root exudation, or deriving from microbial-mediated decay of camelina’s tissues interfere with the growth of neighbouring plants, indicating allelopathic interactions. The isolation and identification of benzylamine and glucosinolates as allelochemicals in camelina highlight their role in plant–plant interactions. However, the studies carried out on this species are outdated, and it cannot be excluded that other chemicals deriving from the breakdown of the glucosinolates or belonging to other classes of specialized metabolites can be involved in its allelopathic potential. Camelina sativa also demonstrates disease suppression capabilities, with glucosinolates exhibiting fungicidal, nematocidal, and bactericidal activities. Additionally, camelina cover crops have been found to reduce root diseases and enhance growth and yields in corn and soybeans. This review sheds light on the allelopathic and agronomic benefits of Camelina sativa, emphasizing its potential as a sustainable and integrated pest management strategy in agriculture.

Exopolysaccharide is required for motility, stress tolerance, and plant colonization by the endophytic bacterium Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN.

Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN is an endophytic bacterium and has been shown to promote the growth and health of many different plants. Exopolysaccharide (EPS) plays important roles in plant-bacteria interaction and tolerance to environmental stresses. However, the function of EPS in PsJN and its interaction with plants remain largely unknown. In this study, a deletion mutation of bceQ gene, encoding a putative flippase for the EPS biosynthesis, was introduced in the genome of PsJN. The ΔbceQ mutant produced a significantly lower level of EPS than the wild type strain in culture media. Compared to the wild type PsJN, the ΔbceQ mutant was more sensitive to desiccation, UV damage, salt (NaCl) and iron (FeCl3) stresses, and bacteriophage infection. More importantly, the mutation of bceQ decreased the endophytic colonization of PsJN in camelina (Camelina sativa) and pea (Camelina sativa) under plant drought stress conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that EPS production is required for the maximal colonization of an endophytic bacterium in the plant tissues under stress conditions.

Climate Assessment of Vegetable Oil and Biodiesel from Camelina Grown as an Intermediate Crop in Cereal-Based Crop Rotations in Cold Climate Regions

The oilseed crop winter camelina (Camelina sativa) is attracting increasing interest for biofuel production. This study assessed the climate impacts of growing camelina as an intermediate crop in northern Europe (Sweden) for the production of vegetable oil and biofuel. Climate impacts were analyzed using life cycle assessment (LCA), while impacts on biodiversity and eutrophication were discussed. Three functional units were considered: 1 ha of land use, 1 kg of oil, and 1 MJ biofuel (hydrogenated vegetable oil, HVO). The results showed that dry matter yield over the whole crop rotation was higher in the camelina crop rotation, despite the lower yield of peas due to relay cropping with camelina. In the whole camelina crop rotation, fat production more than doubled, protein and fiber production marginally increased, and the production of carbohydrates decreased. Higher climate impacts related to field operations and fertilizer use in the camelina crop rotation, with associated N2O emissions, were compensated for by increased soil carbon accumulation due to the increased return of organic matter from the additional crop in the rotation. The total climate impact was around 0.5 kg CO2 eq/kg camelina oil when macronutrient allocation was used. The global warming potential was 15 g CO2 eq/MJ HVO, or 27 g CO2 eq/MJ HVO when soil organic carbon effects were not included, representing an 84% and 71% reduction, respectively, compared with fossil fuels.

Salicylic Acid and Superabsorbent Polymers Could Alleviate Water Deficit Stress in Camelina (Camelina Sativa L.)

ABSTRACT Agronomic management and application of growth regulators mitigated the negative effects of water deficit and improved seed oil yield and other traits in camelina. This study assessed the effects of salicylic acid (SA) foliar application and soil application of superabsorbent polymer hydrogel (SPH) on the growth and antioxidant production of camelina (Camelina sativa L.) in 50% and 75% field capacity (FC) groups, as well as in a well-watered treatment. Application of SA and SPH significantly increased camelina yield and its components in 75% FC and well-watered treatments. In the control (no SA or SPH), water deficit reduced seed oil by 13% and 35% in 75% FC and 50% FC, respectively. Application of SA and SPH increased seed oil by 5% and 11%, respectively. Photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), and chlorophyll content decreased in the 75% FC and 50% FC treatments. Application of SA and SPH increased in A (26% and 19%) and gs (17% and 12%) compared to the control. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidases (POD), catalases (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity increased with increased drought stress. The activity of these enzymes increased when SA was applied. Generally, foliar application of SA was more effective than soil application of SPH in camelina to alleviate the injurious effects of drought stress.

A new RPLC-ESI-MS method for the determination of eight vitamers of vitamin E

Vitamin E consists of four (α-, β-, γ-, δ-) isoforms of tocopherols (T) and tocotrienols (T3), collectively known as tocols. Current LC methods for tocols suffer from either the poor ability to resolve the β- and γ- isoforms (RPLC), or require the use of nonpolar solvents (NPLC), which complicates subsequent MS/MS detection. Moreover, we show that coupling of UV with MS leads to tocols photodegradation. To solve these problems, we developed a new RPLC-MS/MS method, allowing to resolve not only α- and δ-, but also β- and γ- tocols in hydrophobic matrices. We took advantage of an observation that the peak area ratios are specific for the given isomer and constant. The new method with a linear range between 0.2 and 60 ng·mL−1 (for α-T) and 1.1–60 ng·mL−1 (for β-T3 and γ-T3) was validated and employed for quantitative analysis of several oils, including false flax (Camelina sativa) oil stored under different conditions.

Influences of Water Deficit Stress and Symbiosis with Growth-Promoting Bacteria on Seed Biochemistry of Camelina sativa

Camelina sativa, being a flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae, is traditionally cultivated as an oilseed crop due to its exceptionally high level (up to 45%) of omega-3 fatty acids, which is uncommon in vegetable sources. In the recent years camelina has been growing more than before because of its potentiality in the production of biodiesel and bioproduct. An aforementioned experiment was designed in three irrigation levels (100%, 75% and 50% of field capacity) and Micrococcus yunnanensis was used as plant growth-promoting bacteria during the reproductive phase.
 The bacteria were incubated in a nutrient broth medium at the temperature of 28°C for 24h on shaker ceaselessly. When sowing, seeds were treated with 1.0 ml bacteria suspension in the inoculated groups. Water stress was applied to each pot in the levels of 75 and 50 % FC from the budding stage to full maturity in generative phase. Camelina silique yield was harvested at the maturity stage for analysis of seed quality and biochemical responses. Total soluble carbohydrate was extracted thrice from 100 mg of mature seed using extraction soluble including glacial acetic acid, methanol, and water. Oil and protein content were measured using Near-Infrared Reflectance spectrometer. Seed fatty acid contents were determined using gas chromatography. The results showed a significant relation between the highest proportion of fatty acid and the polyunsaturated fatty acid (55.12 to 65.66%) in particular linolenic acid. The increase of polyunsaturated fatty acid and saturated fatty acid was coincided with the decrease of monounsaturated fatty acid under water deficit stress. The application of plant growth-promoting bacteria is proven to increase protein with 50% of field capacity. In general, water deficit stress and plant growth-promoting bacteria have significant effects on the remobilization of nutrients from the soil to developing seed and following metabolism synthesis.

Unraveling the synergistic effects of microbes and selenium in alleviating drought stress in Camelina sativa L.

Globally, drought has emerged as one of the most serious threats to oil seed crops including Camelina production, which necessitates screening of drought resistant cultivars that are more responsive to mitigation treatments. Effect of microbes and Selenium (Se) is associated with the upregulation of available nutrients. Therefore, present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Se interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Rhizophagus intraradices at four different treatments (T1: CK), T2: inoculation of R. intraradices), T3: Se-priming (2 mM), T4: inoculation of R. intraradices+ Se-priming (2 mM) on two Camelina genotypes (Australian and Canadian) under varied water levels (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% field capacity, FC). Se with Seed priming and microbes were applied through inoculation of Camelina seed. The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications at MNS- University of Agriculture Multan, Pakistan. The results exhibited that inoculation of R. intraradices + Se-priming (2 mM) application significantly improved the physiological and growth parameters of Camelina under water stress. The application of inoculation of R. intraradices + Se-priming (2 mM) increased crop growth, physiology, and antioxidants as compared to other treatments (T1: (Control), T2: Microbes (R. intraradices), T3: Se-priming (2 mM). The application of Microbes + Se-priming (2 mM) increased the total soluble sugars by 69.6%, 23.4%, and 10.8% as compared to other treatments (T1: (Control), T2: inoculation of R. intraradices), T3: Se-priming (2 mM)., respectively, irrespective of field capacity levels. Among varied water levels, 100% FC showed unmatched results regarding crop growth traits, physiological aspects, and antioxidants activities as compared to water stressed levels of 75%, 50%, and 25% FCs. Proline contents were also increased by 93.9%, 52.5%, and 10.2% at 100% FC as compared to 25%, 50%, and 75% FCs. The response of Canadian Camelina was found better than Australian Camelina in most of the growth, physiological, and antioxidant parameters. Canadian Camelina also showed a 2.14% increase in superoxide dismutase activity as compared to Australian Camelina. The combination of Canadian Camelina inoculation of R. intraradices + Se-priming (2 mM) is recommended to achieve higher productivity under water-stressed conditions. However, long-term studies must be conducted to screen out drought resistant and inoculation of R. intraradices + Se-priming responsive genotypes for increasing Camelina yield in low input farming systems. Further, Se-mediated physiological and biochemical associated with drought tolerance in Camelina plants and future research prospects have been elucidated.

Supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in ruminant feeding and its effect on dairy products: a systematic review.

Milk and dairy products have great importance in human nutrition related to the presence of different nutrients, including protein, fatty acid profile and bioactive compounds. Dietary supplementation with foods containing these types of compounds may influence the chemical composition of milk and dairy products and hence, potentially, the consumer. Our objective was to summarize the evidence of the effect of supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in the diets of dairy animals and their effects on milk and dairy products. We conducted a systematic search in the MEDLINE/PubMed database for studies published up until July 2022 that reported on supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in diets that included plants, herbs, seeds, grains and isolated bioactive compounds of dairy animals such as cows, sheep and goats and their effects on milk and dairy products. Of the 94 studies identified in the search, only 15 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The review revealed that supplementation with false flax cake, sweet grass, Acacia farnesiana, mushroom myceliated grains and sweet grass promoted an effect on the milk lipid profile, whereas supplementation with dried grape pomace and tannin extract promoted an effect on the milk and cheese lipid profiles. In six studies, the addition of Acacia farnesiana, hesperidin or naringin, durum wheat bran, mushroom myceliated grains, dried grape pomace and olive leaves increased the antioxidant activity of milk. In conclusion, supplementation with bioactive compounds had a positive impact which ranged from an increase in antioxidant capacity to a decrease in oxidative biomarkers such as malondialdehyde.

Control of erucic acid biosynthesis in Camelina (Camelina sativa) by antisense technology.

Oil seeds now make up the world's second-largest food source after cereals. In recent years, the medicinal- oil plant Camelina sativa has attracted much attention for its high levels of unsaturated fatty acids and low levels of saturated fatty acids as well as its resistanceto abiotic stresses. Improvement of oil quality is considered an important trait in this plant. Erucic acid is one of the fatty acids affecting the quality of camelina oil. Altering the fatty acid composition in camelina oil through genetic manipulation requires the identification, isolation, and cloning of genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis. The Fatty Acid Elangase 1 (FAE1) gene encoded the enzyme β-ketoacyl COA synthase (KCS), which is a key factor in the biosynthesis of erucic acid. In this study, isolation and cloning of the FAE1 from the Camelina sativa were performed to prepare an antisense structure. The fragments were isolated from the DNA source of the genomic Soheil cultivar with an erucic acid content of about 3% (in matured seeds) using PCR. After cloning FAE1 into the Bluescriprt II SK+ vector and sequencing, these fragments were used for the preparation of antisense structurein the pBI121 plant expression vector. The approved structurewas transferred to the camelina plant via the Agrobacterium-mediated method. Also, the conditions of tissue culture and gene transfer were optimized. Moreover, the erucic acid content of the immature seeds of T0 transgenic plants was analyzed with gas chromatography (GC). Results showed significant changes in erucic acid levels of two control plants (0.88%), while two lines of the RFAE1 transgenic plants showed a decrease of approximately 0% in erucic acid level. It can be concluded that the antisense structure can be effective in reducing erucic acid.

Implications of Below-Ground Allelopathic Interactions of Camelina sativa and Microorganisms for Phosphate Availability and Habitat Maintenance.

Toxic breakdown products of young Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz, glucosinolates can eliminate microorganisms in the soil. Since microorganisms are essential for phosphate cycling, only insensitive microorganisms with phosphate-solubilizing activity can improve C. sativa's phosphate supply. In this study, 33P-labeled phosphate, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and pot experiments unveiled that not only Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas laurentiana used as phosphate-solubilizing inoculants, but also intrinsic soil microorganisms, including Penicillium aurantiogriseum, and the assemblies of root-colonizing microorganisms solubilized as well phosphate from apatite, trigger off competitive behavior between the organisms. Driving factors in the competitiveness are plant and microbial secondary metabolites, while glucosinolates of Camelina and their breakdown products are regarded as key compounds that inhibit the pathogen P. aurantiogriseum, but also seem to impede root colonization of T. viride. On the other hand, fungal diketopiperazine combined with glucosinolates is fatal to Camelina. The results may contribute to explain the contradictory effects of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms when used as biofertilizers. Further studies will elucidate impacts of released secondary metabolites on coexisting microorganisms and plants under different environmental conditions.

Camelina sativa as a sustainable and feasible feedstuff for broiler poultry species: A review

Camelina sativa as a sustainable and feasible feedstuff for broiler poultry species: A review

Effect of Sprouting on the Phenolic Compounds, Glucosinolates, and Antioxidant Activity of Five Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz Cultivars.

Sprouts are increasingly present in the human diet, being tasty and healthy foods high in antioxidant compounds. Although there is a body of literature on the sprouting of many plant species, Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz has not yet been studied for this purpose. This study aimed to characterize the main bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential of seeds and sprouts of five different Camelina cultivars (ALBA, CO46, CCE43, JOELLE, and VERA). In particular, the contents of phenolic compounds (PCs), phenolic acids (PAs), and glucosinolates (GLSs) were investigated. PCs, PAs, GLSs, and the antioxidant activity of seeds differed among cultivars and were greatly increased by sprouting. A PCA analysis underlined both the effect of the cultivar (PC2) and the germination (PC1) on the nutritional properties of Camelina. The best nutritional properties of seeds were observed for ALBA and CCE43, while the best nutritional properties of sprouts were recorded for CCE43 and JOELLE, since the latter cultivar showed a greater enhancement in phytochemical content and antioxidant activity with sprouting. Finally, a UHPLC-UV procedure for the analysis of GLSs in Camelina was developed and validated. The performance criteria of the proposed method demonstrated that it is useful for the analysis of GLSs in Camelina.

Application of Ultrasonic Methods for Evaluation of High-Pressure Physicochemical Parameters of Liquids

An emerging ultrasonic technology aims to control high-pressure industrial processes that use liquids at pressures up to 800 MPa. To control these processes it is necessary to know precisely physicochemical properties of the processed liquid (e.g., Camelina sativa oil) in the high-pressure range. In recent years, Camelina sativa oil gained a significant interest in food and biofuel industries. Unfortunately, only a very few data characterizing the high-pressure behavior of Camelina sativa oil is available. The aim of this paper is to investigate high pressure physicochemical properties of liquids on the example of Camelina sativa oil, using efficient ultrasonic techniques, i.e., speed of sound measurements supported by parallel measurements of density. It is worth noting that conventional low-pressure methods of measuring physicochemical properties of liquids fail at high pressures. The time of flight (TOF) between the two selected ultrasonic impulses was evaluated with a cross-correlation method. TOF measurements enabled for determination of the speed of sound with very high precision (of the order of picoseconds). Ultrasonic velocity and density measurements were performed for pressures 0.1–660 MPa, and temperatures 3–30°C. Isotherms of acoustic impedance Z_a, surface tension σ and thermal conductivity k were subsequently evaluated. These physicochemical parameters of Camelina sativa oil are mainly influenced by changes in the pressure p, i.e., they increase about two times when the pressure increases from atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa) to 660 MPa at 30°C. The results obtained in this study are novel and can be applied in food, and chemical industries.

Vitamin E biofortification: Maximizing oilseed tocotrienol and total vitamin E tocochromanol production by use of metabolic bypass combinations

Vitamin E tocochromanols are generated in plants by prenylation of homogentisate using geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGDP) for tocotrienol biosynthesis and phytyl diphosphate (PDP) for tocopherol biosynthesis. Homogentisate geranylgeranyl transferase (HGGT), which uses GGDP for prenylation, is a proven target for oilseed tocochromanol biofortification that effectively bypasses the chlorophyll-linked pathway that limits PDP for vitamin E biosynthesis. In this report, we explored the feasibility of maximizing tocochromanol production in the oilseed crop camelina (Camelina sativa) by combining seed-specific HGGT expression with increased biosynthesis and/or reduced homogentisate catabolism. Plastid-targeted Escherichia coli TyrA-encoded chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydrogenase and Arabidopsis hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) cDNA were co-expressed in seeds to bypass feedback-regulated steps and increase flux into homogentisate biosynthesis. Homogentisate catabolism was also suppressed by seed-specific RNAi of the gene for homogentisate oxygenase (HGO), which initiates homogentisate degradation. In the absence of HGGT expression, tocochromanols were increased by ∼2.5-fold with HPPD/TyrA co-expression, and ∼1.4-fold with HGO suppression compared to levels in non-transformed seeds. No further increase in tocochromanols was observed in HPPD/TyrA lines with the addition of HGO RNAi. HGGT expression alone increased tocochromanol concentrations in seeds by ∼four-fold to ≤1400 μg/g seed weight. When combined with HPPD/TyrA co-expression, we obtained an additional three-fold increase in tocochromanol concentrations indicating that homogentisate concentrations limit HGGT's capacity for maximal tocochromanol production. The addition of HGO RNAi further increased tocochromanol concentrations to 5000 μg/g seed weight, an unprecedented tocochromanol concentration in an engineered oilseed. Metabolomic data obtained from engineered seeds provide insights into phenotypic changes associated with “extreme” tocochromanol production.

The effects of dietary inclusion of Camelina sativa on performance and ascites incidence in broilers subjected to cold exposure.

Camelina sativa oilseed has a high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) especially α-linolenic acid. n-3 FA can improve the deformability of erythrocytes and mediate relaxations in coronary artery such as nitric oxide (NO) that is the principal vasodilator responsible for diminution the pulmonary arterial hypertension response. To investigate the effects of camelina sources on ascites incidence in broilers kept on altitude, 672 male chicks were fed with 7 dietary treatments, including control, 2% or 4% camelina oil (CO), 5% or 10% camelina meal (CM) and 5% or 10% camelina seeds (CS) diets. Supplementation of 2% CO had no negative impact on performance, whereas feed intake and body weight gains decreased (p<0.05) by adding 4% CO, CM and CS. Birds fed camelina diets had lower serum triglyceride at day 42, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol at both 28 and 42 days. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase decreased (p<0.001) among 5% and 10% CS groups on day 42. Serum and liver concentrations of malondialdehyde declined (p<0.05) by camelina treatments, whereas serum NO and liver glutathione peroxidase activity significantly elevated. Red blood cell, heterophils and H:L ratio were lower but lymphocyte was higher in camelina groups. Inclusion of camelina reduced (p<0.05) relative weights of heart and right ventricle, the weight of right ventricle to total ventricle ratio and ascites mortality. Use of 2% CO as a source of n-3 FA can improve ascites condition and mortality in broilers reared at high altitude without the reduction of growth performance. However, feeding 4% CO or 5% and 10% CS or CM reduced broiler performance.

Does Increasing the Diversity of Small Grain Cropping Systems Improve Aggregate Stability and Soil Hydraulic Properties?

Wheat (Triticum aestivium L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) are two commonly grown cereal crops in the northern Great Plains. Adding other crops such as field pea (Pisum Sativum L.), canola (Brassica napus L.), or camelina (Camelina sativa L.) to wheat or barley cropping systems may improve soil quality. However, little is known about the effects of including oilseeds in small grain cropping systems on soil physical properties. We sampled an 8-year dryland study with 10 different cropping systems including continuous spring wheat, continuous winter wheat, continuous barley, pea–spring wheat, pea–barley, pea–winter wheat, pea–barley–camelina–spring wheat, pea–barley–canola–spring wheat, pea–winter wheat–camelina–spring wheat and pea–winter wheat–canola–spring wheat. We measured dry aggregate stability, wet aggregate stability, water retention, hydraulic conductivity, bulk density and total carbon. Continuous barley and winter wheat had a higher fraction of large dry soil aggregates, whereas the pea–barley–canola–spring wheat and pea–spring wheat cropping systems had a higher fraction of small aggregates in the 0–15 cm depth. However, wet aggregate stability, water retention, bulk density, hydraulic conductivity and soil carbon concentration were not affected by the cropping system in the 0–15 cm depth. Diversifying small grain cropping systems by adding canola or camelina oil seeds and peas generally did not affect soil physical properties at this location.

Constitution of a Camelina sativa L. Synthetic Population and Agronomic Comparison between Spring and Winter Cultivation in North Italy

In recent years, the interest in increasingly sustainable agriculture has also turned attention towards new cover crops suitable for use in marginal areas that could enter the food chain as new protein and oil sources or for biodiesel production. In this scenario, Camelina sativa is a perfect crop to study. Camelina is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Brassicaceae which is interesting in terms of its oil content, since the seeds contain about 40% oils, with a high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (30–40% alpha linolenic acid, 15–25% linoleic acid, 15% oleic acid and about 15% eicosenoic acid). It is a hexaploid species (2n = 40, genome size ~782 Mb) characterized by rapid growth, a short life cycle (85–100 days for spring varieties, 190–210 for autumn varieties) and low input cultivation needs. However, its use in feed and food is limited by the presence of glucosinolates (GLS). GLS are sulfur molecules involved in plant defense. In recent years, they have been studied not only as antinutritionals but also for their anti-carcinogenic effects against chronic inflammatory and heart diseases and for their use as natural pesticides. Given the recent interest in camelina and its highly nutritious oil, eight pure lines and a synthetic population were compared in two different growing periods, spring and winter. In this work, the genetic materials were characterized for different phenotypic traits, yields and yield components, and bromatological and glucosinolate content. The results confirmed that in North Italy, camelina has higher yields if cultivated in the autumn–winter period (about 2 t/ha vs. 0.6 t/ha); furthermore, a negative correlation was found between spring and winter yields, indicating that varieties that produce more in winter cultivation produce less in spring cultivation. Moreover, to our knowledge, it is the first work in which a synthetic population of Camelina sativa has been tested and proved to be a valid solution for use in various environments both for its adaptability and for the low content of glucosinolates (about 17 mmol/kg).