Optimizing Winter Camelina Production as a Cover Crop In North Dakota

Winter camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] has gained particular interested from producers and researchers in the northern Great Plains and local production information is critical. Without a correct sowing date plant stand establishment can be challenging. Morphological differences between winter- and summer-biotypes of camelina can allow producers and researchers to distinguish the two biotypes. Visible and non-visible seed differences can offer effective means to distinguish the two biotypes. Seed quality of camelina is crucial. Sowing in September until the first week of October had similar seed yield. Morphological differences in the upper most developed leaves of camelina seedling can be used to distinguish the two biotypes. Field grown samples of camelina can be analyzed to determine if the seed is winter or summer biotype or a mix of both and we developed a near infrared spectroscopy protocol to determine seed composition of intact camelina seeds.