Yield Components in Three Meadowfoam Lines

Abstract

Future development of high‐yielding meadowfoam (Limnanthes R. Br. spp.) cultivars may be enhanced if relationships between oil yield, yield components, and agronomical, phenological, and morphological traits can be established. To identify such relationships, two half‐sib L. floccosa Howell ssp. grandiflora Arroyo × L. alba Hartw. ex Benth. ssp. alba lines, ORL85‐765 and ORL85‐729, and ‘Mermaid’ meadowfoam were grown and compared in solid stand in 1987–1988 and 1988–1989 at the Oregon State University Schmidt Farm. Line 85‐765 produced the greatest oil yield in 1987–1988. Seed weight of line 85‐765 was 18 and 13% greater (P < 0.05) than lines 85‐729 and Mermaid, respectively, in 1987–1988. In 1988–1989, both lines 85‐765 and Mermaid produced greater oil yields than line 85‐729. Line 85‐765 produced a 7% greater seed weight and Mermaid produced 55% more seeds per flower than line 85‐729 (P < 0.05). Oil yields of lines 85‐765 and Mermaid were not significantly different in 1988–1989. Seed weight of line 85‐765 was 9% greater than Mermaid in 1988–1989, but Mermaid produced 31% more seeds per flower than line 85‐765 (P < 0.05). Seed weight differences were apparently due to variation in seed growth rate and not seed growth duration. Differences in seeds per flower were not related to pollinator activity or flower phenology. Both seed weight and seed number per flower were important yield components for determining the relative oil‐yield performance of lines 85‐765, 85‐729, and Mermaid.

Shading and Crop‐Cover Effects on Meadowfoam Oil Yield

“…Therefore, meadowfoam yield is also subject to environmental conditions during pollination which affect insect pollination, as well as to the honey bee management (Norberg et al, 1993). Insect pests such as Scap-tomyza (M. R. Wheeler, 1990, personal communication) (Fiez et. al., 1991) and diseases such as Botrytis sp.…”

“…Therefore, the number of damaged opened flowers was recorded daily. A concurrent study also addressed this insect damage and the relatively low oil yields (Fiez et al, 1991).…”

Nondestructive single‐seed oil determination of meadowfoam by near‐infrared transmission spectroscopy

“…Larger seeds were included in the second calibration because increased seed size has contributed to increased oil yield per acre (10). These larger seeds were selected from quantities of bulk seed samples by screening and by using an air blower from E.L. Erickson Products (Brookings, SD).…”

Somatic Embryogenesis and Synthetic Seed II

“…Agronomic studies have investigated growth parameters such as germination conditions, cultivation, fertilizers, and harvesting methods to optimize seed and oil yields (Jain 1979;Franz and Jolliff 1989;Jahns and Jolliff 1990;Fiez et al 1991).…”