Ancient Plant May Become New Source of Biofuel
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 05.29.07
Researchers are all abuzz over a promising new source of biofuel that flourished almost 3,500 years ago in Europe. Camelina, if planted on a large scale on marginal farmland from eastern Washington to North Dakota, could provide a significant source of clean energy.
"This is the most exciting crop I have seen in my 30 some years in this field," said Steven Guy, a crop-management specialist and professor at the University of Idaho. While early results from test plantings have been encouraging, the only farmers who have shown interest in it are from Montana, where over 50,000 acres of camelina have already been planted.
Unlike other potential biofuel feedstocks like canola, camelina can grow in arid conditions, can produce more oil from its seeds for a lower price and doesn't require the excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. "We actually think it might be the next wonder crop," said Tom Todaro, the chief executive of Targeted Growth, a Seattle biotech firm that hopes to produce enough seed to plant 1 million acres by 2009.
Soybeans, which constitute approximately 85 percent of the feedstock used for biodiesel in the United States, are largely grown in the Midwest. Until now, farmers in the inland Northwest and states like Wyoming and North Dakota had been looking for their own feedstock crop and had mostly focused on canola. With the recent discovery of camelina, however, they may have found a much better alternative. "If we have an operating biofuel industry in the Northwest, this could be the feedstock," says Don Wysocki, an associate professor at Oregon State University.
Camelina seeds also contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to reduce high blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease. Once the seeds are crushed for their oil, the leftover meal could be used to feed cattle, chicken and fish.
The National Biodiesel Board, a trade group that represents the biodiesel industry, has yet to take a stand on camelina. "It is one of the newer feedstocks being examined," said Amber Thurlo Pearson, a spokeswoman. "We are a feedstock-neutral organization."
Targeted Growth is planning on using a "hyper-accelerated breeding" program to increase yields of the crop, a process Todaro, its chief executive, emphasizes won't involve genetically modifying camelina and won't require FDA approval.
::Researchers eye ancient plant as source of biofuel
See also: ::All Things Biodiesel: A New Site from the National Biodiesel Board, ::Ethanol vs. Biodiesel: Just the Facts, ::Biodiesel Feedstock Collected to Unplug London's Arteries, ::New Company to Produce Biodiesel From Algae, ::Breakthrough in Biodiesel Production by Japanese Scientists, ::Moo on the Moove: Beef becomes Biodiesel
According to wikipedia, camelina only yeilds about 62 gallons per acre annually. Thats less than peanut oil (113gal/acre/yr). Chinese Tallow on the other hand is said to had HUGE yields. Only downside is it's invasive. That's not too cool. We WILL find the answer. Just keep looking people!
Why not grow trees from seeds, nuts, pips and kernels ? It's the cheapest way known to man to reforest that planet with industrial plants. And fruits & nuts trees are in great need of a large breeding program. Beside, trees direct seeded are known for their drought resistance, and they grow faster than transplanted trees, they are just more care in their beginning, but when they have a few years this type of tree is very forgiving and need few inputs to give crops.
how much does hemp seed yield?
Hie guys,
How do you compare carmellina with jatropha, another crop which provides biofuel?
Clement
Pat O:
Maybe the yield is less than others but I wonder if the Federal Government would go for farmers planting this crop instead of CRP grass?
I agree that invasive plants are probably not a viable option as one only needs to go to your yard or the neighbors to see what dandilions can do.
Working with a plant that is non-invasive, decent yield, and (a huge plus) Perennial plant would help with not needing to plant it every year.
Yes but peanuts and those other plants require much more effort to grow and most also, including soybeans, require better soil to grow. If you are going by acre you must balance it by dividing that number by the percentage of land that will be able to provide proper growth conditions for that plant.
Canola? That is a trade name for the oil made from certain types of plants in the Brassica family often known as rape or rabe. Canola is not the name of a plant.
Look at the hemp plant people!! Its been around for years and has already proven itself. Open your eyes!! This is the solution!!
http://gaiacapitalist.squarespace.com/the-gaialectic/2007/2/14/is-hemp-the-answer-to-helping-save-the-earth.html
http://www.hempcar.org/hempfacts.shtml
The answer, plain and simple:
http://www.hempcar.org/hempfacts.shtml