Oilseed Analysis
Project Investigator: Ian Burke, WSU
January, 2008 Progress Report
What is known:
Production environment has a measurable difference on seed oil content and quality. For instance, the same six soybean lines averaged 27% more oil in seeds from plants grown in Mississippi, where seed-fill temperature was 12 degrees F higher than those from Indiana. Similar variation can exist in Washington over much shorter distances.
Given the differences in agronomic zones of the four regional projects, differences in the seed oil content can be expected among each of the experimental locations.
What is not known:
Currently there is no information on the seed oil quantity and composition in response to the environmental conditions found in Washington. There is also no information on varietal differences within the several crops being evaluated for biofuel potential in response to the environmental conditions found in Washington.
Experimental design and preliminary observations:
Percent oil quantity and oil composition will be determined for all crops and varieties in support of Regional Projects 1-4 and Cross-Cutting Project 3. Researchers in those projects will collect the necessary samples. Oil quantity will be determined using a scaled oil extractor to simulate the process as it would occur on an industrial scale. Oil composition will be examined in both raw extracts and transesterfied extracts (transesterfication produces biodiesel) to determine potential markets for extracted oil and the potential for biodiesel production, respectively. Given the diversity of cropping sites, an assessment of environmental impacts on oil quantity and composition will be conducted to determine best environments for each crop and variety for biodiesel production and oil production in general. Specific varieties of each crop will be identified for suitability of biodiesel production.
Links to other related resources:
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_supply.html
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