Camelina sativa (L.) in Assam: Agronomic, physiological and biochemical aspects

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz (family Brassicaceae) or false flax, a oil-seed plant, has been cultivated for centuries in temperate-climate belt of Europe, as summer crop. Camelina is gaining popularity due to its low input requirements and possibility of being used as a low greenhouse gas emission biofuel crop. Consecutive agronomic trials had been carried out in Assam, which is characterized by sub-tropical climate. Three genotypes were studied. Results have demonstrated that Camelina could grow and produce seeds in Assam only during the winter season (October to March) when precipitation was absent, and the temperature was comparable to that of spring-summer temperate European belt. We can infer that C. sativa had a high level of plasticity and ability to adapt in an area outside of its original habitat.