“New Crops” Research Update

CDC “New Crops” Research Objective –Assist in the Identification and Adoption of “New Crops” suited to Saskatchewan –Suitable growing conditions and market opportunities ?? –Industry driven initiative

CDC and “New Crops” Coriander High oil variants of CDC Major – medium-large seeded – selected for superior essential oil content – yielded well in 2004 – one line showed exceptionally high oil content and quality

CDC and “New Crops” Coriander High oil variants of CDC Major –very poor stand in 2005 due to August frost in 2004 ? –rebuilt seed stocks in 2005

CDC “New Crops” Research SHSA/SAFRR identified priority crops and research topics (2002) –milk thistle and cumin –identification of superior lines and development of better agronomic practices –Collaboration with PGRC (Ag. Canada) and CSIDC –Funded by ADF through 2005

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) Annual/biennial Indigenous to c. Asia but naturalized worldwide Long history of medicinal use Hepato-protectant Commercial sources largely Europe Identified by SHSA as “focus crop”

New Crops Program Milk Thistle Research Objective – determine management practices that maximize yields of high quality milk thistle in Saskatchewan Good seed yields vs. Good quality ?

Milk Thistle Quality Silymarin complex + other bioactive flavenoids Silymarin complex = mixture of isomers Silybinin, silychristine and silydianine

Managing for Maximum Yields... Impact on Quality ? Indeterminent flowering habit = uneven ripening Quality improves with seed maturity Shatters once ripe = lost yields Options Hand harvests (multiple) Machine harvest (once-over)

New Crops Program M ilk Thistle Research Germplasm evaluation trials ( ) 30 lines from worldwide sources Assess for agronomic characteristics, seed yields and quality Standard crop management practices Hand vs machine harvested

CDC “New Crops” Research Milk thistle ( ) limited seed supply limits size of trials - gophers like milk thistle - some lines fail to flower or mature within SK growing season

CDC “New Crops” Research Milk thistle accession trial results –excellent stand and crop vigor –some lines again fail to flower …but better maturity than in 2003, despite short cool summer –some promising lines = high yields and good maturity

Milk Thistle Trials

CDC “New Crops” Research Milk thistle accession trial results –excellent stand and crop vigor –better maturity than in 2004 –all machine harvested –yields and quality excellent

Milk Thistle Yield Comparison Line (Kg/ha) Identity of lines available upon request

Milk Thistle Germplasm Trials Easy to establish and maintain Few pest problems Limited response to fertility or irrigation Timely harvest is key – SHATTERING Machine harvest is efficient and yields a high quality product

- Once-over machine harvest = 80% of yields. of multiple hand harvest - Much faster and user friendly.

Milk Thistle Germplasm Trials Large genetic variability in yield potential and quality Significant year to year variability in yields and quality … but relative performance of lines is fairly stable. Several lines identified with good yield potential and quality profiles Significant potential for further improvement of yields and quality.

CDC “New Crops” Research Cumin –Cuminum cyminum or Carum carvi –Short stature annual herb –Native to N. Africa –Requires long cool dry growing season –Used widely with strong demand –Produced in India, N. Africa and Near East –Quality = seed size, color and flavor

CDC “New Crops” Research Cumin Growers/Researchers report problems with ….. Stand establishment Disease Short stature Poor seed quality

CDC “New Crops” Research Cumin Trials in 2003 –Field trial of 26 accessions obtained from 9 different sources/countries (PGRC) –limited seed supply of most lines - basically just quick look + multiply

CDC “New Crops” Research Cumin trial results –many lines fail to germinate –others hit with range of diseases beginning at emergence … and running through to maturity –yields of most lines is very limited –quality seed poor … immature

CDC “New Crops” Research Cumin evaluations in 2004 –fuller evaluation of lines tested in 2003 –continue to access new material –change fields and production practices

CDC “New Crops” Research Cumin trial results –many lines again fail to germinate - frost damaged seed ? –others hit with range of diseases beginning at emergence … and running through to maturity –yields of most lines is very limited –seed quality poor … immature + disease

2004 Cumin yields

CDC “New Crops” Research Cumin evaluations in 2005 –fuller evaluation of lines tested in 2003 and 2004 –continue to access new material –continue to change production practices

CDC “New Crops” Research Cumin trial results – many lines again fail to germinate - immature / damaged seed ? –others hit with range of diseases beginning at emergence … and running through to maturity – yields of most lines is very limited –seed quality poor … immature + disease

Cumin germplasm trials in 2005

2005 Cumin yields

Cumin Germplasm Trials Problems with crop establishment –Seed vigor –Disease from seedling through maturity –Check disease with fungicides ? Short stature + poor stand = weeds Optimum soil = ?Irrigation = undesirable Mechanical pick up challenging due to short stature. Some variability in available seed lines … but all material appears poorly adapted to SK.

Cumin Germplasm Evaluation Conclusion … “They who grow cumin say that it must be cursed and abused while sowing if the crop is to be fair and abundant” Theophrastus 400 AD

CDC “New Crops” Research Disease Management –Blossom Blight serious problem for coriander, caraway, dill and cumin. –Dr. Duczek has identified range of fungi causing blights –Establish disease nursery to study biology and potential methods for control. –See Dr. Thomson’s presentation

CDC “New Crops” Research Field evaluation of double haploid material generated by A. Ferrie (PBI/NRC) –dill, fennel, anise, cow cockle –DH and parental lines grown side by side –G2 dill lines in replicated field trials –Growth habit and seed yield –See Dr.Ferrie’s presentation for results