Crambe Abyssinica Research Articles

Morphophysiological and nutritional characteristics of Crambe abyssinica Hochst under hydric restriction in different phenological stages

Crambe is an oilseed whose oil is used mainly for biodiesel production, but crambe is still a developing agricultural crop. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to evaluate the growth and the physiological and nutritional parameters of Crambe abyssinica Hochst (crambe) cultivated under hydric restriction for 20 days. The experiment occurred in the greenhouse and consisted of comparing control and hydric restriction treatments for 20 days during the vegetative and flowering stages. The hydric restriction effect was evaluated by assessing plant height, the number of leaves, dry biomass and leaf area. The dry biomass and leaf area values were used to calculate physiological indexes such as the specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area ratio (LAR), liquid assimilation rate (LRA) and relative growth rate of the crop (RGR). The macro- and micronutrient leaf compositions were also analysed. The means were compared with those of the control according to the Dunnett test. A reduction leaf area and LAR as well as in the concentration of the minerals N, Ca, K, Mg and Zn was observed at the vegetative stage, whereas at flowering, the hydric restriction treatment reduced the SLA, LRA and Mg but increased the minerals K and Na. Thus, we conclude that there was an effect of hydric restriction on the morphological, physiological and nutritional characteristics of crambe plants on at least one of the phenological stages studied.

DESIGN OF CONDITIONS FOR THE MODIFICATION OF OIL IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING ECOLOGICAL LUBRICANTS

The paper presents results of research concerning the oil bases designs that are dedicated to application in lubricants for the food industry. The method of vegetable oil modification was proposed that use supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent. This resulted in a milder course of oil oxidation. In order to minimize the number of necessary experiments, the Taguchi approach to experiments planning was used. As part of the research, the properties of vegetable oils, inedible (Crambe Abyssinica oil) one and edible (Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) oil) after modification, were compared. The optimal, due to the adopted criteria, values of oil modification process parameters were determined for each of the oils. Analyses and comparisons of processes for obtaining an oil base suitable for the planned use in ecological lubricants have been made. Under optimized conditions, the modified oils obtained a needed appropriate viscosity class.

Pathotypes and phylogenetic variation determine downy mildew epidemics in Brassica spp. in Australia

Isolates of Hyaloperonospora brassicae inoculated onto cotyledons of 28 diverse Brassicaceae genotypes, 13 from Brassica napus, two from B. juncea, five from B. oleracea, two from Eruca vesicaria, and one each from B. nigra, B. carinata, B. rapa, Crambe abyssinica, Raphanus sativus and R. raphanistrum, showed significant effects (P ≤ 0.001) of isolate, host and their interaction. Host responses ranged from no visible symptom or a hypersensitive response, to systemic spread and abundant pathogen sporulation. Isolates were generally most virulent on their host of origin. Using an octal classification, six host genotypes were identified as suitable host differentials to characterize pathotypes of H. brassicae and distinguished eight distinct pathotypes. There were fewer, but more virulent, pathotypes in 2015–2016 isolates than 2006–2008 pathogen populations, probably explaining the increase in severity of canola downy mildew over the past decade. Phylogenetic relationships determined across 20 H. brassicae isolates collected in 2006–2008 and 88 isolates collected in 2015–2016 showed seven distinct clades, with 70% of 2006–2008 isolates distributed within clade I (bootstrap value (BVs) of 100%) and the remaining 30% in clade V (BVs 83.3%). This is the first study to define phylogenetic relationships of H. brassicae isolates in Australia, setting a benchmark for understanding current and future genetic shifts within pathogen populations; it is also the first to use octal classification to characterize pathotypes of H. brassicae, providing a novel basis for standardizing phenotypic characterization and monitoring of pathotypes on B. napus and some crucifer species in Australia.

Rational management of water availability along the phenological stages of Crambe abyssinica Hochst.

Rational management of water availability along the phenological stages of Crambe abyssinica Hochst.

Energy and economic efficiency of camelina and crambe biomass production on a large-scale farm in north-eastern Poland

The aim of this study was to determine the energy and economic efficiency of Camelina sativa and Crambe abyssinica production on a commercial plantation. The study was based on a three-year large-scale trial. The energy and economic inputs in the production of camelina and crambe were similar and were dominated by the consumption of fertilisers. The average yield of camelina and crambe seeds was very similar but the yield of camelina was more stable. The average energy gain from production of camelina was higher by 4.9% compared with the crambe. The average income from camelina seeds production (876.3 € ha−1) was higher by almost 12% than for crambe. The average energy efficiency ratio for production of camelina seeds (2.00) was higher by 5.7% compared with the crambe. The average energy efficiency ratio for the production of total biomass (seeds and straw) of camelina (4.74) was higher by 4.2% compared with the crambe. The revenue from camelina seeds was on average 312 € ha−1 and was 36% higher than that from crambe seeds, while the revenue from camelina total biomass production was on average 432.6 € ha−1 and was 26% higher than the value obtained from crambe production.

Drought tolerance in potential oilseed plants for biofuel production

Raphanus sativus L. and Crambe abyssinica Hochst. are promising crops for supplying oil to chemical industries. They are not used for human consumption and can be grown off-season due to their short life cycle. However, drought may limit their growth, photosynthesis and productivity. Thus, the aim of this research was to evaluate the morphological and physiological responses of R. sativus and C. abyssinica subjected to water deficit to identify the strategies used by these species to tolerate the effects of water stress. Two independent experiments for R. sativus and C. abyssinica were conducted with different water replacements: 100% (control), 66% and 33% of the field capacity. The characteristics of water relations, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, chloroplastidic pigments, morphology and root distribution in the soil profile were evaluated separately in both crops. The results indicate the ability of both species to control water loss. In R. sativus and C. abyssinica, the cell turgor and consequently photosynthesis and growth were maintained even under drought conditions. The maintenance of water status was achieved by osmotic adjustment in R. sativus, and also the root distribution and deepening in both species. Such responses allowed R. sativus and C. abyssinica to be classified as tolerant to drought conditions.

Effect of row spacing and plant density on grain yield and yield components of Crambe abyssinica Hochst

Understanding the influence of row spacing and plant density on grain yield and yield components of crambe is critical in order to obtain higher grain yields. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of row spacing and plant density on grain yield and its components in crambe in two distinct regions of Brazil (Marechal Candido Rondon-PR, MCR-PR, and Botucatu-SP, BTU-SP). Narrow and wide row spacing (0.20 and 0.40 m) combined with four plant densities (15, 25, 35, and 45 plants m-1) were evaluated in a randomized block layout with four replications in a 2 × 4 factorial design. The experiment at BTU-SP was run under rainfed conditions with supplementary irrigation, whereas the experiment at MCR-PR was run under rainfed conditions without supplementary irrigation. Both experiments were run in soils classified as Oxisols. There was no interaction between row spacing and plant density. Highest grain yield with supplementary irrigation was observed at 0.20 m row spacing. Without irrigation, row spacing did not affect grain yield owing to the plasticity of crop. The highest grain yield was observed with approximately 30 plants m-1 at both experimental locations. A strong negative correlation was observed between final plant population and number of grains per plant. There was high plant mortality, particularly at high plant densities cultivated under irrigation. Higher mortality occurred because of high intraspecific competition and a larger disease incidence due to the higher humidity in the irrigated experiment. A mechanism of self-adjustment by plant density was observed in crambe, with its intensity dependent on plant density and environmental conditions, such as water and nutrient availability and light incidence.

Genetically engineering Crambe abyssinica—A potentially high‐value oil crop for salt land improvement

AbstractCrambe abyssinica (crambe) is a new industrial oil crop that can grow on saline soil and tolerates salty water irrigation. Genetically engineered crambe in which the seed‐oil composition is manipulated for more erucic acid and less polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) would be highly beneficial to industry. In this research, lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase 2 RNA interference (CaLPAT2‐RNAi) was introduced into the crambe genome to manipulate its oil composition. The result showed in comparison with wild type, CaLPAT2‐RNAi could significantly reduce linoleic and linolenic acid content, simultaneously increasing erucic acid content. Systematic metabolism engineering was then carried out to further study CaLPAT2‐RNAi, combined with the overexpression of Brassica napus fatty acid elongase (BnFAE), Limnanthes douglasii LPAT (LdLPAT), and RNAi of endogenous fatty acid desaturase 2 (CaFAD2‐RNAi). Oil composition analysis on the tranformants' seeds showed that (a) with CaFAD2‐RNAi, PUFA content could be dramatically decreased, in comparison with BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi, and BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi + CaLPAT2‐RNAi seeds showed lower linolenic acid content; (b) BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi + CaLPAT2‐RNAi could increase the erucic acid content in crambe seed oil from less than 66.6% to 71.6%, whereas the highest erucic acid content of BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi was 79.2%; (c) although the four‐gene combination could not increase the erucic acid content of seed oil to a higher level than the others, it led to increased carbon resource deposited into C22:1 and C18:1 moieties and lower PUFA. Summarily, the present research indicates that suppression of LPAT2 is a new, promising strategy for seed‐oil biosynthesis pathway engineering, which would increase the value of crambe oil.

Intensive annual crop production and root development in a tropical acid soil under long-term no-till and soil-amendment management

In tropical conservation agricultural systems, crop yield is limited by soil acidity and root-growth inhibition, especially under intensive crop rotation. This study evaluated the effect of surface applications of lime and phosphogypsum in improving soil fertility and crop yield in a tropical region. Four treatments were evaluated: control (without soil amendment); and application phosphogypsum (2.1 + 2.1 + 2.1 Mg ha–1), lime (2.7 + 2.0 + 2.0 Mg ha–1), and a combination of lime and phosphogypsum at the given rates, applied in 2002, 2004 and 2010, respectively. We evaluated the soil chemical properties, root development, plant nutrition, yield components and grain yield of 10 crops over 4 years using five species: maize (Zea mays), crambe (Crambe abyssinica), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Our long-term results demonstrate the benefits of surface liming in alleviating subsoil acidity, reducing Al3+ toxicity, improving availability of Ca2+ and Mg2+, and increasing accumulation of soil organic matter in all soil profiles at depths up to 0.60 m. For maize and crambe, adding phosphogypsum increased development of plants and reproductive structures, which increased grain yield. Phosphogypsum exhibited synergistic effects in association with lime for maize and common bean. Phosphogypsum did not have an effect on cowpea and wheat, whereas surface liming was essential to improve plant nutrition, grain yield and wheat grain quality. The combination of both soil amendments is an important tool to reduce the soil acidification process, resulting in the highest levels of Ca2+ and Mg2+ and the highest base-saturation values in the topsoil layers (0–0.20 m) over time. Our long-term results showed the viability of surface liming plus phosphogypsum for improving tropical soil fertility, which can reflect an increase in grain yield and contribute to the sustainability of agricultural systems under intensive land use in highly weathered areas.

Structural Quality of a Latosol Cultivated with Oilseed in Succession to Corn

Mechanized operations on soils with inadequate moisture cause compaction and are deleterious to soil quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different oilseed crop successions on the structural quality of a clayey Rhodic Hapludox. Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.), canola ( Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa ), safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius L.), crambe ( Crambe abyssinica Hochst.), and niger ( Guizotia abyssinica ) were sown in autumn/winter in a no-tillage system in succession to corn grown in the summer and soybean/corn grown in summer/autumn-winter. When the autumn-winter crops began to grow, soil samples were collected in metallic cylinders at 0.0–0.05 m and 0.05–0.10 m depths. Analyses of the optimal water interval in each crop succession at the 0.0–0.05 m layer indicated that the corn/safflower and corn/crambe successions reduced the structural quality of the soil. The autumn-winter niger crop in succession to summer corn improved the soil structure at 0.0–0.05 m and 0.05–0.10 m when compared with the soil cultivated with the soybean/corn succession. The niger crop is an effective crop rotation alternative that improves the physical quality of the soil under no-tillage systems.

Moisture content on the mechanical behavior of crambe grains

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to verify the influence of moisture content on the values of maximum compressive strength, proportional deformity modulus, elastic coefficients d, e, and f beyond the tangent values, and maximum grain drying of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) under compression in natural resting position. Crambe grains with moisture contents ranging from 0.1547 to 0.0482 decimal db were dried at 40°C and uniaxially compressed between two parallel plates in the natural rest position. The gravimetric method was used to monitor reduction in moisture content during drying (weight loss). It was concluded that the compression force required to deform the crambe grains decreases as the moisture content increases. The proportional deformity modulus increases as the deformation decreases, yielding values between (0.09-0.27)×102MPa. Sigmoidal model described by Taylor series adequately represents the compression resistance of crambe grains in the natural rest position with moisture content lower than 0.0813db.

Phytotoxicity of exotic species on the physiological potential of crambe seeds (Crambe abyssinica Hochs)

Biological invasions of exotic plants can seriously contribute to ecological imbalances within areas to which they have been introduced, affecting, in addition to native plants, cultivated species. Consequently, the objective of the current study was to evaluate effects of allelopathic extracts of three exotic species on
 the physiological quality of crambe seeds. Aqueous extracts of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC (algaroba) were formulated; Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Nim) and Cryptostegia madagascariensis Bojer ex Decne (viuvinha) at 20% (200 g of dried leaves per liter of distilled water) placed in B.O.D at 25 ° C for 24 h. Petri dishes, lined with germitest paper sheets, were moistened with aqueous extracts at 2,5 times de paper weight.
 In the experimental trial, we used the completely randomized, with four treatments (three extracts + control treatment) and four replicates of 25 seeds. The first and second germination counts were evaluated in the fourth and tenth days respectively; germination rate index (GRI), allelopathic effect index (AEI), seedling length and dry mass. P. juliflora and C. madagascariensis reduced germination by 84 and 91%, respectively, in the first count. The GRI was affected by the three species, while the AEI showed greater allelopathy for C. madagascariensis, reaching -0.90. Seedlings lengths were reduced in the presence of P. juliflora and C. madagascariensis. For crambe seeds, all extracts negatively affected their physiological potential.

Comparison of the combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of inedible Crambe abyssinica biodiesel and edible hazelnut, corn, soybean, sunflower, and canola biodiesels

In this study, the effects of hazelnut oil–diesel (H30), corn oil–diesel (C30), soybean oil–diesel (S30), sunflower oil–diesel (Su30), canola oil–diesel (Ca30) and Crambe abyssinica oil–diesel (Cr30) and diesel fuel blends were investigated on combustion characteristics, engine performance and NOx, CO, HC, and soot emissions. A single cylinder, four stroke, direct injection diesel engine was operated at maximum brake torque engine speed of 2200 rpm and 7.5, 11.25, 15, and 18.75 Nm engine loads. Test results showed that thermal efficiency decreased by about 3.1, 6.44, 7.08, 7.40, 8.76, and 11.68% with H30, C30, S30, Su30, Ca30, and Cr30 compared to D100 at full load, respectively. There was no big differences on cylinder pressure between test fuels. However, higher heat release rate was obtained with D100 according to fuel blends due to higher calorific value of D100. Test results also showed that HC, CO, and soot emissions decreased with biodiesel fuel blends compared to diesel fuel for all engine loads while NOx emissions increased. At full load, HC and CO decreased by about 81.2 and 21.5%, respectively, with C30 compared to diesel. Similarly, soot reduced 51.3% with Su30 compared to diesel at the same engine load. However, NOx increased 15.8% with C30 according to diesel at full load. It was concluded that biodiesel–diesel fuel blends can be used efficiently in a diesel engine. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1438–1447, 2018

Farelo de crambe (Crambe abyssinica) em rações para frangos de corte

Um experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a substituição da proteína da ração pela proteína do farelo de crambe (Crambe abyssinica) sobre o desempenho dos frangos de corte na fase inicial (oito a 21 dias). Foram utilizados 420 pintos machos da linhagem Cobb 500®, distribuídos em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições de 21 aves por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos experimentais constituíram de uma ração testemunha sem o farelo de crambe e os demais pela substituição da proteína da ração nos níveis de 5, 10, 15 e 20%. Não houve efeito significativo para conversão alimentar dos frangos, no entanto, observou-se efeito linear decrescente para o consumo de ração e o ganho de peso das aves, à medida que a proteína do crambe substituiu a proteína da ração. Verificou-se redução do consumo de ração aos níveis de 10, 15 e 20% de substituição da proteína. Para o ganho de peso, os menores valores observados foram para os níveis de 15 e 20% de substituição, enquanto que os níveis de 5 e 10% não diferiram em relação ao tratamento testemunha. Portanto, recomenda-se a substituição do farelo de crambe na ração até o nível de 10% por não influenciar negativamente no ganho de peso dos frangos de corte.

Effect of Crambe abyssinica oil degumming in phosphorus concentration of refined oil and derived biodiesel

Abstract In the present study, the effect of different degumming processes on the phosphorus content of Crambe abyssinica oil and resultant biodiesel was evaluated. The non-edible oil was submitted to water degumming and chemical degumming with different concentrations of phosphoric acid and varying the acid to oil volume percentages. Phosphorus content of the products was measured by UV spectroscopy after sample calcination, according to NP 1994:2000. Biodiesel was produced by transesterification using a 6:1 methanol to oil molar ratio and 1 wt% sodium hydroxide as catalyst at 65 °C, during 1 h. The biodiesel produced directly from the crude oil presented high phosphorus concentration (>20 ppm); consequently, a degumming process was required to fulfil the quality standard (

Micropropagation of Crambe Abyssinica Hochst. Ex R.E. Fr.

Micropropagation of Crambe Abyssinica Hochst. Ex R.E. Fr.

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) protein concentrates: production methods and nutritional properties for use in fish feed.

The purpose of this study was to develop and improve protein concentration techniques for two industrial by-products with the potential for use in fish feed. In particular, we chemically characterized crambe meal and sunflower meal and their protein concentrates. Three different protein concentration methods were tested: isoelectric pH (pHi), acid pH and alkaline pH. For crambe and sunflower meals extraction using the pHi method was most efficient in terms of protein yield and crude protein content in the concentrates; this method also increased lysine and methionine content in the concentrates. The water holding capacity of the sunflower protein concentrate was greater than that of the crambe protein concentrate. The crambe protein concentrate had a foam-formation capacity of 15%, which stabilized at 6% after 90 minutes. The protein concentration method also reduced total phenolic content by approximately 50% in the concentrates compared with the meals. Therefore, we conclude that protein concentration using the pHi method is the most efficient technique for crambe and sunflower meals, and the use of this technique can decrease total phenolic compounds while improving meal quality for fish feeding.

Physiological responses to intense water deficit in two genotypes of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst.)

Physiological responses to intense water deficit in two genotypes of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst.)

Cover Crops and Soil Phosphorus Availability

ABSTRACTPlants affect soil phosphorus (P) solubility through root exudates, but studies are lacking on species used as relay or cover crops in tropical environments. We evaluated the effect of cover crops on soil phosphorus (P) availability in an oxisol. Ruzigrass (Brachiaria ruziziensis), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), peanut (Arachis hypogaea), crambe (Crambe abyssinica), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) were grown in pots with soil. Phosphorus uptake, soil inorganic and organic P, maximum P adsorption capacity, and plant root systems were assessed. When root length density is high, the efficiency of P uptake is low due to root competition. Crambe results in greater soil P availability, while peanut and sorghum decrease the soil maximum P adsorption capacity, probably by exuding or stimulating microbial production of organic acids and phenolic compounds. Hence, crambe, peanut, and sorghum are species that may be of interest to increase P use efficiency in cropping systems.

Reduction of antinutritional glucosinolates in Brassica oilseeds by mutation of genes encoding transporters.

The nutritional value of Brassica seed meals is reduced by the presence of glucosinolates, which are toxic compounds involved in plant defense. Mutation of the genes encoding two glucosinolate transporters (GTRs) eliminated glucosinolates from Arabidopsis thaliana seeds, but translation of loss-of-function phenotypes into Brassica crops is challenging because Brassica is polyploid. We mutated one of seven and four of 12 GTR orthologs and reduced glucosinolate levels in seeds by 60-70% in two different Brassica species (Brassica rapa and Brassica juncea). Reduction in seed glucosinolates was stably inherited over multiple generations and maintained in field trials of two mutant populations at three locations. Successful translation of the gtr loss-of-function phenotype from model plant to two Brassica crops suggests that our transport engineering approach could be broadly applied to reduce seed glucosinolate content in other oilseed crops, such as Camelina sativa or Crambe abyssinica.