Brassica carinata, or Ethiopian mustard, is an oilseed crop native to the Ethiopian highlands with potential for planting in Florida row crops winter rotations. During an otherwise fallow period, B. carinata may provide benefits as a cover crop and income through diverse products like biofuel and animal feedstocks. Already grown on 36,000 acres and 4 continents, the market for renewable fuels and sustainable agriculture is increasing.
Screening advanced carinata genotypes for adaptation to the southeast US helps determine what plant attributes and varieties are best suited to local climate and production methods. With replicated trials in North Florida, the University of Florida/Institute for Food and Agriculture in Live Oak planted 22 lines in November 2016. Seed was provided from industry leader Agrisoma’s advanced breeding stock. Metrics for evaluation included maturity dates, cold tolerance, disease, plant height, and yield.
Results from this trial showed large variations in biomass, yield and vigor among lines with yields ranging from 64-104 bpa. Commercially available varieties recorded 84 bpa with little or no damage form disease or frost. With average seed prices of $8/bu, and input costs of $275/ac, net profits of $397 were calculated.
Although not directly measured, carinata may also serve multiple ecosystem services as a cover crop in reducing soil erosion, reducing nutrient leaching (especially after heavy nitrogen users like corn), increasing soil organic matter, improving water holding capacity and provide other biological soil health benefits.
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Brassica carinata : A Winter Crop that yields multiple benefits
1. Brassica carinata: A Winter Crop That
Yields Multiple Benefits
Patrick Troy, UF/IFAS Extension Regional Specialized Agent (SVAEC), ptroy@ufl.edu, (386) 362-1725
UF/IFAS Extension Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center, Live Oak, Florida 32060
B. carinata, or
Ethiopian mustard:
an oilseed crop native to the
Ethiopian highlands, non-invasive
to Florida and the rest of North
America.
• High in oil content (> 40%)
• High in erucic acid
• Oil can be converted
into biofuel for jets
• Grown on 36,000
acres on 4 continents
• Grows well in Southeast U.S.
(60 bushels per acre in
potential yields)
• Seed meal can be used
for cattle feed
B. carinata as a winter crop:
• Frost and drought tolerant
• Source of increased revenue
(avg. $235/acre net)
• As a cover crop, reduces soil
erosion, nutrient leaching;
increases soil organic
matter, moisture
UF/IFAS Research
Researchers at the University
of Florida Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences have been field
testing B. carinata genotypes and
commercial varieties for optimum
yields, early maturity, cold tolerance,
and disease resistance.
Results from Live Oak:
• Early planting and soil moisture are
critical for stand establishment.
• Developmental variety yields ranging
from 65-104 bushels per acre.
• Commercial productions lines yielded
84 bpa with little or no damage from
disease or frost.
• With average seed prices ($80/lb.)
and inputs ($275/acre), net profit
of $397/acre was calculated.
Seepaul, R., et al. 2016. Carinata, the Jet Fuel Cover Crop:
2016 Production Recommendations for the Southeastern
United States. UF/IFAS EDIS publication SS-AGR-384.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag389
In 2017, UF/IFAS researchers
were awarded a
$15 MILLION
USDA/NIFA grant to study B. carinata.
Brassica Carinata Infographic.indd 1 2/28/18 1:25 PM
