18.1 Origin and History
Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz., Brassicaceae] was originated in Central
Asia and the Mediterranean. Its cultivation is believed to have begun in the Neolithic
times and was used in the preparation of porridge and bread (Hatt 1937). For
centuries, it has been referred to as the “gold-of-pleasure” (USA) and “false flax”
(UK). In Europe, the production of Camelina sativa almost doubled during the Iron
age and it was mainly grown as an oil-producing crop (Knorzer 1978). The press
cake after oil extraction was used as an animal feed. Evidence of seeds of camelina
was found in the archaeological excavations of the Bronze Age in the regions
surrounding the North Sea (Knorzer 1978). Applications of camelina oil were
known to the Romans and they utilized camelina oil as lamp fuel, cooking oil, and
massage oil; the meal was used as livestock feed (Pilgeram et al. 2007). It was
exclusively used as an oilseed crop in the Eastern and Northern Europe until the
early 1940s before the widespread use of rapeseed. Camelina is still popular as a
weed species in Europe and North America (Fig 18.1).
18.2 Production
In recent years, the demand for food and biofuel oils has led to an increase in the
production of camelina. In North America and Europe, a number of pilot-scale
productions have been developed. Camelina can be grown at very low input cost.
It can grow under varying climatic conditions and can resist drought to some extent.
However, it does not grow in organic soil and heavy clay. It can be grown both as a
summer crop (annually) and as a winter crop (biannually). Camelina requires less
water, pesticide, and fertilizer for its cultivation compared to other oilseed crops such
as soybean, sunflower, and canola. Camelina is cultivated in the northern regions of
Europe, Asia, and North America (Moser 2010). It is commonly cultivated with
other crops (especially with wheat followed by soy) in the mid and southern United
States (Marra and Carlson 1986; Crabtree et al. 1990).
The per hectare yield of camelina seeds ranges from 336 to 2240 kg. In a study at
the University of Minnesota, camelina yield was reported to be in the range of
600–1700 kg/ha at Rosemount, Minnesota (45
N latitude), with an average in the
range of 1100–1200 kg/ha over several years of trials. Typically, the oil content in
camelina seeds is 35%. In Montana, where dry land conditions existed, camelina
yield was reported 1800–2000 pounds and 900–1700 pounds per acre in regions
with 16–18 in. and 13–15 in. precipitation, respectively. In Idaho, yields of
1700–2200 pounds per acre of camelina have been reported.
456
S. K. Singh et al.
Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz., Brassicaceae] was originated in Central
Asia and the Mediterranean. Its cultivation is believed to have begun in the Neolithic
times and was used in the preparation of porridge and bread (Hatt 1937). For
centuries, it has been referred to as the “gold-of-pleasure” (USA) and “false flax”
(UK). In Europe, the production of Camelina sativa almost doubled during the Iron
age and it was mainly grown as an oil-producing crop (Knorzer 1978). The press
cake after oil extraction was used as an animal feed. Evidence of seeds of camelina
was found in the archaeological excavations of the Bronze Age in the regions
surrounding the North Sea (Knorzer 1978). Applications of camelina oil were
known to the Romans and they utilized camelina oil as lamp fuel, cooking oil, and
massage oil; the meal was used as livestock feed (Pilgeram et al. 2007). It was
exclusively used as an oilseed crop in the Eastern and Northern Europe until the
early 1940s before the widespread use of rapeseed. Camelina is still popular as a
weed species in Europe and North America (Fig 18.1).
18.2 Production
In recent years, the demand for food and biofuel oils has led to an increase in the
production of camelina. In North America and Europe, a number of pilot-scale
productions have been developed. Camelina can be grown at very low input cost.
It can grow under varying climatic conditions and can resist drought to some extent.
However, it does not grow in organic soil and heavy clay. It can be grown both as a
summer crop (annually) and as a winter crop (biannually). Camelina requires less
water, pesticide, and fertilizer for its cultivation compared to other oilseed crops such
as soybean, sunflower, and canola. Camelina is cultivated in the northern regions of
Europe, Asia, and North America (Moser 2010). It is commonly cultivated with
other crops (especially with wheat followed by soy) in the mid and southern United
States (Marra and Carlson 1986; Crabtree et al. 1990).
The per hectare yield of camelina seeds ranges from 336 to 2240 kg. In a study at
the University of Minnesota, camelina yield was reported to be in the range of
600–1700 kg/ha at Rosemount, Minnesota (45
N latitude), with an average in the
range of 1100–1200 kg/ha over several years of trials. Typically, the oil content in
camelina seeds is 35%. In Montana, where dry land conditions existed, camelina
yield was reported 1800–2000 pounds and 900–1700 pounds per acre in regions
with 16–18 in. and 13–15 in. precipitation, respectively. In Idaho, yields of
1700–2200 pounds per acre of camelina have been reported.
456
S. K. Singh et al.