Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Building on previous studies, the plant breeding and selection program for the alyssum phytomining crop continued through the end of 2003, completing the fourth selection cycle. We also developed an "Alyssum Growers Guide" summarizing agronomic management recommendations regarding alyssum in cooperation with Viridian Resources in 2003. Studies on grindelia planted in Oregon and Argentina in 2002 and 2003 examined how different climate stresses favored yield and resin production of certain wild accessions over others. The PI's transfer to a new research station in 2003 resulted in new crop studies. Preliminary results there led to grant-funded studies for teff hay, euphorbia, canola, camelina, and poplar trees. The teff studies included agronomic studies as well as two cycles of plant selection with the goal of developing a superior teff variety for this region. Other preliminary studies examined peppermint, nutraceutical milk thistle, oca (primitive potato), and a new study
begun in 2007 examining Russian dandelion as a potential source of high quality rubber. A mint grower field day was held in 2006 to disseminate knowledge about spider mite and predator mite management in mint. We held annual field days to explain our studies and results to the general public. Our annual report contained data and conclusions from these studies. A number of the studies resulted in presentations at scientific meetings, journal articles, or other publications. Also responded to 80-100 phone calls per year on many crop topics, including the crops within the scope of this project.
PARTICIPANTS: Richard Roseberg was either the primary PI or cooperating PI for all studies described under this project. Rufus Chaney (USDA-ARS) was the primary PI for the Ni phytomining studies. Scott Angle (Univ. of Maryland), Eric Brewer (USDA-ARS and Viridian Resources), Yin Li (USDA-ARS and Viridian Resources), Ursula Kukier (USDA-ARS), and Mark Wiest were all responsible for various aspects of the Ni phytomining studies. David Lewis assisted with field research involving hybrid poplars, grindelia, and euphorbia. Jim Smith assisted with field research involving teff, canola, camelina, and milk thistle. Partner organizations included USDA-ARS, Univ. of Maryland, Viridian Resources LLC, and Univ. of California-Davis. Collaborators included Daryl Ehrensing of Oregon State Univ. Crop & Soil Science Dept., and Damien Ravetta of the Univ. of Buenos Aires. Graduate students Kerianne Zdimal and Carrine Peters each received their M.S. degree from the University of Maryland based on
research conducted in partnership with this project. Several high school and undergraduate students received training and experience studying these crops as part of this project's studies.
TARGET AUDIENCES: The alyssum phytomining project was aimed at an economically disadvantaged area by developing the technology needed for improved profitability on Ni-rich soils in a part of SW Oregon that traditionally suffers from high unemployment and low land use value due to poor production capability for traditional farm crops. In addition to presenting results of these studies to traditional farmer audiences, outreach efforts were also made to various community groups to explain the potential benefits of these new crops or management practices. Extension and outreach activities such as workshops and field days occurred for virtually all of the studies described within this project.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The objectives, methods, and protocols did not change during the project, but the particular crops and details of the individual studies did change in 2003 due to Dr. Roseberg's transfer within Oregon State Univ. to a different location within Oregon that had different soils and climate than the location where this project was begun. For example, the phytomining study effectively ceased in 2003, but the teff study began shortly thereafer.
Impacts
Based on preliminary data, a new experimental peppermint distiller was purchased with grower and foundation funds to facilitate more detailed research studies. The preliminary canola and camelina data are allowing us to apply for grant funding from the Sun Grant program, US Dept. of Energy, and other sources to expand and improve our understanding of these crops. In 2007 a local farmer built a 1 million gal/yr biodiesel processing facility based in part on the local canola research results. Teff continues to draw national interest. We responded to nearly 800 calls from 44 states during 2004-2007 and sent out many reprints of our 2005 and 2006 results, mainly to farmers around the country growers who wanted to grow teff but did not know its agronomic requirements. This nationwide interest helped a local seed company to increase their teff seed sales from about 5 tons in 2005 to over 8 tons in 2006, and about 10 tons in 2007, enough to plant over 3500 acres, in addition
to increased seed sales by other companies in Washington and Idaho. Renewed interest in plant sources of solvents and coatings is leading to renewed federal and industry support for euphorbia research and product development starting in 2008.
Publications
- Kukier, U., C.A. Peters, R.L. Chaney, J.S. Angle, and R.J. Roseberg. 2004. The effect of pH on metal accumulation in two Alyssum species. J. Env. Quality: 33:2090-2102.
- Li, Y.M., Chaney, R.L., Brewer, E., Roseberg, R.J., Angle, J.S., Baker, A., Reeves, R., and Nelkin J. 2003. Development of a technology for commercial phytoextraction of nickel: economic and technical considerations. Plant and Soil 249:107-115.
- Peters, C.A., Chaney, R.L., Angle, J.S., and Roseberg, R.J. 2002. The effect of the pH of pH buffered nutrient solutions on nickel hyperaccumulation by Alyssum corsicum and Berkheya coddii. Abstr. p. 71, The 9th New Phytologist Symposium on Heavy metals and plants: from ecosystems to biomolecules. (Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2002, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). New Phytologist Trust, London.
- Roseberg, R.J. 2007. Canola and camelina research and commercialization in the Klamath Basin of Oregon. Abstr. p. 22, Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Annual Meeting, Portland, Maine.
- Chaney, R.L., Angle, J.S., McIntosh, M.S., Reeves, R.D., Li, Y.M., Brewer, E.P., Chen, K.Y., Roseberg, R.J., Perner, H., Synkowski, E.C., Broadhurst, C.L., and Baker, A.J.M. 2005. Using Hyperaccumulator Plants to Phytoextract Soil Ni and Cd. Zeitschrift Naturforschung C. 60C:190-198.
- Roseberg, R.J. 2005. Hybrid poplar production in the Rogue Valley, 1997-2004. In: Research in the Klamath Basin 2004 Annual Report. OSU-AES Special Report 1063:120-125.
- Chaney R.L., Li, Y.M., Angle, J.S., Brewer, E.P., Roseberg, R.J, Broadhurst, C.L., Erbe, E., Baker, A.J.M., and Reeves, R.D. 2003. Development of a commercial Ni phytoextraction technology using the Ni hyperaccumulator plant Alyssum murale. US EPA International Applied Phytotechnologies Conference, Chicago, Illinois. http://cluin.org/studio/2003phyto/prez/41.pdf
- Chaney R.L., Kukier, U., Siebielec, G., Li, Y.M., Brewer, E.P., Green, C.E., Angle, J.S., Roseberg, R.J., Baker, A.J.M., and Reeves, R.D. 2003. In situ remediation and phytoextraction of soil Ni. Abstr. Sudbury, 2003- Mining and the Environment. Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
- Chaney, R.L., Li, Y.M., Angle, J.S., Roseberg, R.J., and Brewer, E.P. 2003. Development of a new crop, Alyssum murale, for phytomining Ni from contaminated or mineralized soils. Abstr. p. 17, Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon.
- Roseberg, R.J., Chaney, R.L., Li, Y.M., Angle, J.S., and Brewer, E.P. 2003. Research and commercialization of Alyssum murale and Alyssum corsicum as potential new nickel phytomining crops. Abstr. p. 18, Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon.
- Roseberg, R.J. and Ravetta, D.A. 2003. Yield and resin production of Grindelia camporum and G. chiloensis accessions grown in Patagonia, Argentina, and Oregon, USA. Abstr. p. 31, Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
This project examines the agronomic requirements of promising, but poorly understood, alternative crops that may be suitable for high elevation, semi-arid climates such as the Klamath Basin. We began preliminary studies on effects of harvest timing on peppermint oil yield. We evaluated 6 cultivars of the new warm season annual forage grass, teff, in a replicated variety trial. We also screened 367 accessions of teff in an attempt to select for accessions that showed superior growth, yield, and quality characteristics. We continued long-term studies on poplar growth in Medford and Klamath Falls. We planted replicated variety trials of canola and other brassica species to evaluate the potential of spring and fall-planted oilseed crops in the Klamath Basin. Such crops had never been tested in this area before.
Impacts
It is expected that development of alternative crops such as mint, teff, poplar trees, and oilseed crops will contribute to crop diversification in the Klamath Basin, which should help stabilize the economic cycle of the very few commodity crops currently grown. In addition, some of these alternative crops may allow decreased demand for scarce water supplies in the region. The preliminary canola data is allowing us to apply for grant funding from several sources (including the Sun Grant program) to expand and improve these studies. A local farmer decided to build a biodiesel proceessing facilty based on these encouraging local results. Teff continues to draw national interest. We sent out many reprints of our 2005 results and draft copies of our 2006 report. This nationwide interest helped a local seed company to increase their teff seed sales from about 5 tons in 2005 to over 8 tons in 2006, enough to plant over 3000 acres.
Publications
- Roseberg, R.J. 2006. Hybrid poplar production in the Rogue Valley, 1997-2005. In: Research in the Klamath Basin 2005 Annual Report. OSU-AES Special Report 1069:52-56.
- Roseberg, R.J. and Smith, J.E. 2006. Irrigated alfalfa variety trials. In: Research in the Klamath Basin 2005 Annual Report. OSU-AES Special Report 1069:57-67.
- Roseberg, R.J. and Smith, J.E. 2006. Orchardgrass variety trial. In: Research in the Klamath Basin 2005 Annual Report. OSU-AES Special Report 1069:68-80.
- Roseberg, R.J. and Smith, J.E. 2006. Mixed grass/alfalfa variety trial. In: Research in the Klamath Basin 2005 Annual Report. OSU-AES Special Report 1069:81-94.
- Roseberg, R.J., Crane, J.M., Miller, T.W.,Putnam, D., and Knapp, S.J. 2006. Meadowfoam yield at four locations on a longitudinal transect. Abstr. p. 9, Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Annual Meeting.
- Roseberg, R.J. and Norberg, S. 2006. Agronomic and climatic effects on teff grown for forage. Abstr. p. 41, Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Annual Meeting.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Many industrial raw materials, food ingredients, and specialized forages can be supplied by renewable, domestically grown, agricultural crops. However, very little is known about how to grow and process most of these underutilized, sometimes undomesticated, plant species. This project examines the agronomic requirements of these promising, but poorly understood, alternative crops that may be suitable for semi-arid climates. In cooperation with local growers and Univ. of California scientists, we began agronomic studies on mint, with special emphasis on understanding the effects of harvest timing on mint yield and quality. We bought and used a new experimental still, collecting samples from six farmer's fields several times during the season. We also began agronomic studies on another alternative crop, teff, in 2005. We planted experiments in Klamath Falls, Medford, and Ontario to study the effects of irrigation, N nutrition, and climate on yield and quality. We
continued long-term studies on poplar growth in Klamath Falls and Medford. We also finished a multi-year series of studies on agronomic requirements of euphorbia, a potential industrial oilseed crop.
Impacts
It is expected that development of alternative crops such as mint, teff, poplar trees, native grasses, and oilseed crops will contribute to crop diversification in the Klamath Basin, which should help stabilize the economic cycle of the very few commodity crops currently grown. In addition, some of these alternative crops may allow decreased demand for scarce water supplies in the region. The preliminary mint data allowed us to apply for grant funding from several sources to expand and improve these studies. Local farmers have also pledged additional support to continue this research. Regarding teff, we successfully obtained the funding to do the field studies at three locations. Based on our preliminary results in 2004, an article about our efforts appeared in the Farmer-Stockman magazine in Feb. 2005, resulting in over 300 phone calls from 41 states about teff. This nationwide interest helped a local seed company to sell over 5 tons of seed, resulting in about 2000
acres of teff planted across the country.
Publications
- Chaney, R.L., Angle, J.S., McIntosh, M.S., Reeves, R.D., Li, Y.M., Brewer, E.P., Chen, K.Y., Roseberg, R.J., Perner, H., Synkowski, E.C., Broadhurst, C.L., and Baker, A.J.M. 2005. Using Hyperaccumulator Plants to Phytoextract Soil Ni and Cd. Zeitschrift Naturforschung C. 60C:190-198.
- Roseberg, R.J. 2005. Hybrid poplar production in the Rogue Valley, 1997-2004. In: Research in the Klamath Basin 2004 Annual Report. OSU-AES Special Report 1063:120-125.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Activity on previous research topics under this project (e.g. phytomining and grindelia crops) has ended due to transfer of PI to a new location where such crops will not survive. Other alternative crops will be studied at the new location. Small trials of milk thistle (nutraceutical), teff (for hay) and oca (primitive potato) in 2004 suggest that some alternative crops have potential in the Klamath Basin, but that the likelihood of mid-summer freezing temperatures greatly limits the potential crop choices. Due to increased grower interest in peppermint, grants for applied research have been written and submittted to various funding sources, and a new experimental mint distiller has been purchased with grower and foundation funds.
Impacts
It is expected that development of alternative crops such as these will contribute to crop diversification in the Klamath Basin, which should help stabilize the economic cycle of the very few commodity crops currently grown. In addition, many of these alternative crops may provide a greater per-acre income than traditional crops, and can thus improve grower income while possibly decreasing land devoted to intensive agriculture, possibly allowing growers to reduce the demand for scarce water supplies in the process.
Publications
- Kukier, U., Peters, C.A., Chaney, R.L., Angle, J.S., and Roseberg, R.J. 2004. The effect of pH on metal accumulation in two Alyssum species. J. Env. Quality: In Press.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The plant breeding and selection program for the phytomining crop continued, with 2003 being the fourth selection cycle. Some recent selections seem to have a more upright growth, retain Ni-rich leaves longer, and take up higher concentrations of Ni. No new agronomic research was conducted in 2003, but commercial seed production was completed on 13 acres and commercial phytomining biomass plantings were made on an additional 60 acres in SW Oregon. In addition, private mining companies signed contracts allowing use of this technology to mine and phytoremediate contaminated lands in Canada and elsewhere. Cooperative research on grindelia planted in Oregon and Argentina showed how climate stresses favored yield and resin production of certain wild accessions over others. Most accessions grew and yielded better in one location or the other, but not both. Interestingly, some accessions grew better in their non-native region than in their native region. Research topics
under this project will be changing due to transfer of PI to new location and with new position responsibilities.
Impacts
For the phytomining crop, increases in plant Ni uptake in newer selections to between 2.0 and 2.5% (compared to 1.0 -1.5% for wild populations), as well as improved morphological characteristics, have greatly improved the economic potential of this new crop. Results of agronomic research in prior years has provided a greater level of confidence for landowners deciding whether or not to grow this crop. As a result of this research, contracts signed in 2003 anticipate that several thousand acres of contaminated lands could soon be phytomined for Ni in Canada and elsewhere, using the technology and seed developed from this project. In addition, negotiations are underway with small landowners in SW Oregon to plant hundreds of additional acres there. Current contracts in SW Oregon pay landowners upwards of $1000/acre for research or seed production land rental, and about $50/acre for biomass crop land rental. In each case these values are about double the current return to
landowners in this region, due to the severe infertility of these Ni-rich soils for traditional crops. For grindelia, research results in Oregon and Argentina have spurred the Argentine government towards greater development of grindelia as a resin crop that they say could improve their import/export balance, and also their rural economy. Similar enthusiasm has not developed among US resin companies.
Publications
- Li, Y.M., Chaney, R.L., Brewer, E., Roseberg, R.J., Angle, J.S., Baker, A., Reeves, R., and Nelkin J. 2003. Development of a technology for commercial phytoextraction of nickel: economic and technical considerations. Plant and Soil 249:107-115.
- Peters*, C.A., Chaney, R.L., Angle, J.S., and Roseberg, R.J. 2002. The effect of the pH of pH buffered nutrient solutions on nickel hyperaccumulation by Alyssum corsicum and Berkheya coddii. Abstr. p. 71, The 9th New Phytologist Symposium on Heavy metals and plants: from ecosystems to biomolecules. (Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2002; Philadelphia, PA). New Phytologist Trust, London.
- Chaney* R.L., Li, Y.M., Angle, J.S., Brewer, E.P., Roseberg, R.J, Broadhurst, C.L., Erbe, E., Baker, A.J.M., and Reeves, R.D. 2003. Development of a commercial Ni phytoextraction technology using the Ni hyperaccumulator plant Alyssum murale. US EPA International Applied Phytotechnologies Conference, Chicago, IL, March 3-5, 2003. http://cluin.org/studio/2003phyto/prez/41.pdf
- Chaney* R.L., Kukier, U., Siebielec, G., Li, Y.M., Brewer, E.P., Green, C.E., Angle, J.S., Roseberg, R.J., Baker, A.J.M., and Reeves, R.D. 2003. In situ remediation and phytoextraction of soil Ni. Abstr. Sudbury, 2003- Mining and the Environment. Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. May 25-28.
- Chaney*, R.L., Li, Y.M., Angle, J.S., Roseberg, R.J., and Brewer, E.P. 2003. Development of a new crop, Alyssum murale, for phytomining Ni from contaminated or mineralized soils. Abstr. p. 17, Assoc. Adv. Industrial Crops annual meeting, Portland, Oregon, Oct. 12-15.
- Roseberg*, R.J., Chaney*, R.L., Li, Y.M., Angle, J.S., and Brewer, E.P. 2003. Research and commercialization of Alyssum murale and Alyssum corsicum as potential new nickel phytomining crops. Abstr. p. 18, Assoc. Adv. Industrial Crops annual meeting, Portland, Oregon, Oct. 12-15.
- Roseberg*, R.J. and Ravetta, D.A. 2003. Yield and resin production of Grindelia camporum and G. chiloensis accessions grown in Patagonia, Argentina, and Oregon, USA. Abstr. p. 31, Assoc. Adv. Industrial Crops annual meeting, Portland, Oregon, Oct. 12-15.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Many industrial raw materials can be supplied by renewable, domestically grown, agricultural crops. However, very little is known about how to grow and process most of these underutilized, sometimes undomesticated, plant species. This project examines the agronomic and climatic requirements of these promising, but poorly understood, alternative crops that may be suitable for semi-arid climates. Special emphasis will be placed on studying plant species that appear to grow well in non-fertile or otherwise less-than-ideal soils with limited irrigation in SW Oregon. This is a new project with an official start date of Oct. 1, 2002.
Impacts
Domesticating and developing wild plant species into useful crops is, by necessity, usually a long-term task. Although this project has just begun, prior research has established that there is a market for the raw materials produced by these potential crops. What is especially encouraging is the fact that many of these potential crops grow well on unproductive land. Soils that are infertile, chemically unbalanced, rocky, or where irrigation water is unavailable typically produce little or no income for the landowner in SW Oregon. Developing crops for such areas would have multiple benefits, including increased income to the landowner, decreased reliance on imported or non-renewable sources of these raw materials, and development of a local processing industry. All these benefits would be achieved without displacing or competing with the high-input, high-value vegetable and fruit crops currently grown on the traditionally "good" valley soils in this area. Such benefits
have already begun with the first 60-acre commercial planting of the Ni phytomining crop described in this project.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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