Yield and oil quality in selected lines of Crambe abyssinica Hochst. ex R.E.Fries and C. hispanica L. grown in Italy.

Crambe is an innovative source of raw materials for several products usually derived from petroleum. In 1991-1992, two lines of Crambe abyssinica and C. hispanica previously selected from a germplasm collection, were tested at two different Italian locations. Four sowing times, three sowing densities, four inter-row spacings, two weeding techniques, three doses each for nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic fertilisers, and three herbicides were investigated. Eleven biological traits were recorded and the influence of different agrotechniques on yield and seed chemical composition was evaluated. The best results were obtained with: autumn sowing time, a sowing density of 50 seeds/m2, Butisan herbicide, and 60, 60, 80 kg/ha of P2O5, K2O and N, respectively. Erucic acid content was about 54% in both species at both locations and was little affected by the different investigated techniques. Growing this crop in some zones of central and southern Italy could be agronomically profitable, also as a possible alternative to cereals.