Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) a new oilseed crop for Mediterranean and Balkan European climates

Abstract

Nowadays in Europe the new multipurpose oilseed crop, camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz), is not yet widely cultivated but in the last decade it has gained interest among farmers and other stakeholders in the value chain, in relation to its satisfactory yield, low input requirement, and suitability to different pedo-climates. If until now camelina has been grown as a spring crop in northern Europe, more recently southern environments in the Mediterranean basin and in the Balkan region have been targeted as suitable growing areas, either in autumn, winter or spring sowing. Nevertheless, the limited number of winter genotypes available, together with the typical winter season in those areas which is not very harsh, make the possibility to grow spring camelina genotypes with autumn cycle a feasible option. Aiming at defining the most suitable genotype and the optimal sowing date in the Mediterranean and Balkan regions a common trial has been established in autumn 2020 comparing four camelina genotypes (3 spring + 1 winter) and two sowing dates (early vs. late) across three locations in Italy (Bologna, 44° 30’ N, 11° 23’ E), Serbia (Novi Sad, 45° 15’ N, 19° 51’ E), and Spain (Lleida, 52° 10’ N, 4° 29’ E).