Lesquerella commercialization efforts in the United States
1992
Dierig, D.A. | Thompson, A.E. | Nakayama, F.S.
Lesquerella fendleri (Gray) Wats. is a promising new crop for cultivation in the western United States. Its oil-bearing seed contains high amounts of the hydroxy fatty acid (HFA), lesquerolic acid (C20:1-OH), suitable as a raw material for many types of industrial applications. Currently the U.S. imports castor seed oil as its chief source of HFA, used primarily in the production of lubricants and plastics. Lesquerella could complement castor oil imports as well as provide new applications and products. Lesquerella meal is being tested as a feed source. Other lesquerella species contain varying amounts and types of HFA. L. fendleri appears to be highly cross-pollinated, and as a consequence, considerable genetic variation exists for traits such as seed oil content, HFA, yield, flowering time, and growth habit. Rapid progress is being made toward full commercialization of lesquerella with private companies and government agencies working together in parallel studies on yield improvement and on finding new uses for the seed oil. Cooperative plantings began in 1990 and included 12 ha in central Arizona and Texas. Planting for 1991 has been increased to 30 ha and covered a wider range of climatic and soil conditions. The seed oil from these plantings is being used to formulate and test lubricant and cosmetics products. Agronomic management practices being investigated include planting methods, time of harvest, and irrigation scheduling. Fortunately, existing farm equipment with minor modification can be used for planting and harvesting the crop. Genetic and germplasm improvement studies are also being conducted and covers germplasm evaluation, selection, and hybridization.
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