Growth of spring camelina (Camelina sativa) under deficit irrigation in Western Nebraska

•Growthof spring-planted camelina in western Nebraska were studied under deficit irrigation.•Canopygrowth peaked by 10 weeks after planting and required <25 cm of total moisture.•Seedyield increased to a maximum of 2540 kg/ha with 43 cm of applied water.•Linolenicacid (C18:3), the major constituent, increased with irrigation from 32 to 35%.•Oleic and linoleic acids decreased from 20–21% to 18–19%.

The High Plains of the U.S.A. is subject to periodic drought where low-water using crops are desired. Camelina is a potential biofuel crop that may be suitable for this region. The objective was to determine the growth, seed yield, and oil characteristic of camelina exposed to four levels of applied water in western Nebraska. The cultivar Cheyenne was exposed to rain-fed only (RF), and irrigated with 10 (LI), 20 (MI), and 30 (HI) cm water. Irrigation increased plant growth as measured by canopy height, stem length, and canopy weight. Maximum height (70–80 cm) was reached by 10 weeks after planting (WAP) with a total of 23 cm of applied water or 13 cm of irrigation. By 13 WAP, canopy and pod fresh weights were increased by 40–50% by the MI and HI irrigations. Likewise, at harvest (13 WAP), plant dry weight was increased by 50% by the two higher irrigation levels. Seed yields were increased by each incremental increase in irrigation from 890 kg/ha for RF to 2540 for HI, a 2.85-fold increase. Oil content was not affected by irrigating at the LI or MI but was increased only by the HI irrigation level. The fatty acid profile was altered by irrigation with an increase in the major constituent, linolenic acid, and a corresponding decrease in two other large constituents, oleic and linoleic acids. There also was a slight increase in the minor constituent of erucic acid. The growth pattern of camelina showed that 23 cm of applied water would be required for healthy plant growth but as much as 43 cm would be needed for maximum yield. The results indicate that camelina could be grown successfully in western Nebraska, supplying oil for fuel and cooking.