Kenneth J. Goering

A Search for High Erucic Acid Containing Oils in the Cruciferael2

In recent years, there has been mueh interest in the possibility of finding new crops containing industrial oils for the utilization of acres now planted to conventional crops. The new vegetable oil presently attracting research attention is that obtained from Crambe abyssinica, which has a high content of erucie acid. The utilization potential of this oil has been described by Bruun. and Matehett (7) and in the bulletin ARS 34-42 (12). Some of the uses mentioned for erucic acid and its derivatives are for new polyamide fibers, plasticizers, polyesters, alkyd resins, lubricants, surface active agents, water repellents and in the synthesis of new waxes. Since large areas in the Northwest have inadequate mnoisture for good yields of Crambe yet have adequate moisture for other Cruciferae, it was thought desirable to study a large number of Cruciferae both from the agronoinic and chemical standpoint as alternates to Crambe as producers of erucic acid. Until the development of gas-liquid partition chromatography by Martin and James (16, 17) and the adoption of this technique by nunmerous other workers (11, 26, 28) for the resolution of esters of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, there were no reliable techniques available for this determination. In nearly every case where the early work has been repeated using gas chromatography, it has been found in error. For

Utilization and agronomic studies of cow cockle (Saponaria vaccaria)

ConclusionsPreliminary work on cow cockle seed suggests that this species may have an unusual new starch which could have certain special applications. Inability to produce good yields of flour and difficulty encountered in using Dimler’s process suggests that some type of modified wet-milling technique should be used on this starch source which might permit recovery of adequate amounts of starch so that its properties could be thoroughly investigated. Investigations on milling and chemical properties are continuing in our laboratories.Preliminary agronomic evaluations suggest that this species could be handled with current farm equipment. With essentially no studies on adaptation, management or development of superior genotypes, it is surprising that this plant produced 40% of the yield of the best adapted Montana barley variety and up to 71% in one instance. Evaluation of three sources indicate that variability for plant height, germination, seed size, and flowering dates exist. This indicates that even among these three genotypes sufficient variation exists to provide some genotype improvement through a crossing and selection program.

The composition of the oil ofBerteroa incana

Berteroa incana DC., false alyssum, is sometimes considered a weedy plant. I t was introduced from Europe and has spread as a weed of meadows, pastures, and waste places, part icularly on dry~ sandy or gravelly soils. I t is a member of the Crueiferae. Depending on growing conditions, plants vary from three inches to three feet in height. The species has been reported as established in four counties in Montana: Park, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Powell.