Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba Benth.) seed oil has a high content of stable, long-chain fatty acids, which give it unique physical and chemical properties. Oil from this new crop is a basic feedstock for the manufacture of cosmetics and has potential for use in biolubricants, biopesticides, and other products. Genetically superior cultivars are needed to increase on-farm productivity, grower profits, and the supply of meadowfoam oil. Cultivars derived from the OMF58 population have been shown to be superior under a range of environmental conditions. Selections from 2007-08 yield trials were recombined to create two new experimental varieties from this population (MF189 and MF191). The GJ Pool is a genetically diverse germplasm collection with distinctive variation in plant type and other morphological traits. Two new experimental varieties were created from this pool in 2008-09 (MF190 and MF192). Isolated breeders seed increases of MF189, MF190, MF191, and MF192 were produced in 2009-10 for evaluation in yield trials and possible release as cultivars. Fusarium spp. was widely observed in growers' fields in 2007-08. Genotypes with high and low disease severity were selected for re-evaluation in 2008-09 trials under varying levels of insecticide, to determine if the trait is heritable and to investigate possible relationships with damage due to meadowfoam fly (Scaptomyza spp.). New markets for meadowfoam seed meal would add value to the crop. Meadowfoam seed meal contains the glucosinolate glucolimnanthin (GLN), and degradation products from GLN are known to have biopesticidal properties. A set of 90 partially inbred (S3) lines from the GJPool was analyzed for seed GLN content to determine the extent of genetic variation for this trait in L. alba ssp. alba germplasm. PCR-based markers were developed for three genes in the glucosinolate biosynthetic and activation pathways (CYP79A2, TGG, and ESM) and four genes in seed oil biosynthetic pathways (FAE, Delta 5 DS, LPAAT, and DGAT) and mapped in an inter-subspecific backcross population derived from MF64xMF40-11. Seed meal glucosinolates were converted into their degradation products by fermenting enzyme-inactive seed meal with small quantities of enzyme-active meadowfoam seeds. The predominant 3-methoxybenzyl glucosinolate, glucolimnanthin, was converted into isothiocyanate, nitrile, and thioamide. The herbicidal activity of glucolimnanthin and its degradation products was determined in a coleoptile emergence assay using downy brome (Bromus tectorum) seeds planted on a layer of soil. Currently there are only three herbicides registered for use on meadowfoam. Herbicides that control a greater number of weed species and have greater crop safety are needed. Fluroxypyr (Starane) and clopyralid (Stinger) were evaluated as single treatments and as a pre-mix (Wide Match) for broadleaf weed control in meadowfoam. S-metolachlor (Dual), ethofumesate (Nortorn), and sulfentrazone (Spartan) were applied alone and in combination in a study designed to evaluate weed control efficacy and meadowfoam tolerance. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University include Dr. Jennifer Kling (plant breeder), Dr. Carol Mallory-Smith (weed scientist), and Dr. Mary Slabaugh (molecular biologist). Dr. Kling oversees all of the breeding activities in the field and greenhouses, and Dr. Slabaugh manages the molecular genetic research for the project. Dr. Carol Mallory-Smith has conducted experiments to evaluate the safety and efficacy of potential herbicides for weed control in meadowfoam. Dr. Fred Stevens and Dr. Ralph Reed are collaborators from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Oregon State University. They established methods for enhancing herbicidal activity of meadowfoam seed meal by addition of enzyme-active seed material that converts glucolimnanthin into active degradation products. They have worked with Mr. Mike Martinez of Natural Plant Products (NPP) and the OMG Meadowfoam Oil Seed Growers Cooperative to investigate various formulations of the seed meal to develop a biopesticide product for commercial use. Mr. Jerry Hatteberg and Mr. Charles Ortiz of OMG have collaborated with the breeding program at OSU to identify growers' fields for trials and to refine selection criteria to meet grower and end-user needs and priorities. OSU scientists present research findings at the annual OMG meeting and participate in OMG field days. In 2008 a memorandum of understanding was signed between OSU, OMG and Dr. Virginia Lehman of Blue Moon Farms, LLC. The purpose of the agreement is to promote the exchange of germplasm and enhance breeding capacity and impact through collaboration with the private seed sector. TARGET AUDIENCES: The immediate beneficiaries of the project are the meadowfoam growers and grass seed producers in Oregon. Biopesticides from meadowfoam meal would also be beneficial to growers of high value nursery and organic crops in Oregon, California, Washington, and Idaho. The genomic tools developed are expected to contribute to basic knowledge about the genetic regulation of oil content and quality and glucosinolate biosynthesis and degradation in meadowfoam and related species. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This project supports agronomic, genetic, and biochemical research directed towards increasing the productivity and profitability of the oilseed crop meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba Benth.). On national and regional levels, meadowfoam provides a unique and renewable source of industrial oil. On a local level, meadowfoam fills an important niche as a winter annual and alternate, high value crop that can be grown in rotation with grass seeds. Oregon produces over 95% of some of our nation's turf and forage grasses. In a trial comparing high and low selections for Fusarium disease under varying levels of Scaptomyza control, no interactions between genotypes and insecticide treatments were observed. Control of Scaptomyza increased oil yields by 12%. Low disease selections were more resistant to lodging than high disease selections. Selection for Fusarium resistance may be an effective means to reduce lodging in meadowfoam, which should improve harvestable yield and quality. Meadowfoam seed meal constitutes about 70% of harvested crop yield, but current commercial outlets for the meal are limited. Meadowfoam contains the glucosinolate, glucolimnanthin, whose degradation products have the potential to inhibit seed germination of other plant species. However, the myrosinase enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of glucosinolate is inactivated by commercial oil extraction methods. Technologies for enhancing the herbicidal activity of meadowfoam meal have been developed through this project and are being refined for large-scale production. We identified a thioamide degradation product, 2-(3-methoxyphenyl) ethanethioamide, that has not previously been reported as a naturally occurring compound. Despite literature reports of thiocyanates being formed from precursor glucosinolates or isothiocyanates, we did not observe evidence for the formation of 3-methoxybenzyl thiocyanate in fermented seed meal. The formation of the isothiocyanate, the nitrile, and the thioamide, as a total, correlated with an increase of herbicidal potency of the seed meal. Results from this project will assist in identifying and expanding options for effective herbicidal control of weeds in meadowfoam. In a trial comparing efficacy of Fluroxypyr (Starane), clopyaralid (Stinger), and a pre-mix (Wide Match), Fluroxypyr was more effective on ivyleaf speedwell and shepherd's-purse than was clopyralid. The pre-mix provided better overall weed control than either herbicide alone. When S-metolachlor (Dual), ethofumesate (Nortorn), and sulfentrazone (Spartan) were applied alone and in combination, Ethofumesate treatments provided the least overall weed control. Sulfentrazone provided better control of mayweed chamomile, ivyleaf speedwell, and shepherd's-purse than did s-metolachlor or ethofumesate. There were no differences in seed yield among treatments. Through the OMG Meadowfoam Oil Seed Growers cooperative, new crop cultivars, weed control practices and bioproducts from meadowfoam seed meal developed through this project are made available to an existing network for rapid dissemination and adoption by growers.
Publications
- Stevens, J.S., Reed, R.L., and Morre, J.T. (2008). Characterization of phytoecdysteroid glycosides in meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) seed meal by positive and negative ion LC-MS/MS. J Agric Food Chem. 56: 3945-3952.
- Velasco, P., Slabaugh, M.B., Reed, R., Kling, J.G., Kishore, V.K., Stevens, J.F. and Knapp, S.J. (2010). Glucosinolates in the new oilseed crop meadowfoam: natural variation in Section Inflexae of Limnanthes, a new glucosinolate in L. floccosa, and QTL analysis in L. alba. Plant Breeding (in press).
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project supports agronomic, genetic, and biochemical research directed towards increasing the productivity and profitability of the oilseed crop meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba Benth.). Cultivars derived from the OMF58 population have been shown to be superior under a range of environmental conditions. Selections from 2007-08 yield trials were recombined to create two new experimental varieties from this population (OMF189 and OMF191). The GJ Pool is a genetically diverse germplasm collection with distinctive variation in plant type and other morphological traits. Two new experimental varieties were created from this pool in 2008-09 (OMF190 and OMF192). Fusarium spp. was widely observed in growers' fields in 2007-08. Genotypes with high and low disease severity were selected for re-evaluation in 2008-09 trials under varying levels of insecticide, to investigate possible relationships with damage due to meadowfoam fly (Scaptomyza apicalis). No relationship between Scaptomyza infestation and disease susceptibility was observed. Low disease selections were more resistant to lodging than high disease selections. PCR-based markers were developed for three genes in the glucosinolate biosynthetic and activation pathways (CYP79A2, TGG, and ESM) and four genes in seed oil biosynthetic pathways (FAE, Delta 5 DS, LPAAT, and DGAT) and mapped in an inter-subspecific backcross population derived from MF64xMF40-11. Seed meal glucosinolates were converted into their degradation products by fermenting enzyme-inactive seed meal with small quantities of enzyme-active meadowfoam seeds. The predominant 3-methoxybenzyl glucosinolate, glucolimnanthin, was converted into isothiocyanate, nitrile, and thioamide. We identified a thioamide degradation product, 2-(3-methoxyphenyl) ethanethioamide, that has not previously been reported as a naturally occurring compound. Despite literature reports of thiocyanates being formed from precursor glucosinolates or isothiocyanates, we did not observe evidence for the formation of 3-methoxybenzyl thiocyanate in fermented seed meal. The herbicidal activity of glucolimnanthin and its degradation products was determined in a coleoptile emergence assay using downy brome (Bromus tectorum) seeds planted on a layer of soil. The formation of the isothiocyanate, the nitrile, and the thioamide, as a total, correlated with an increase of herbicidal potency of the seed meal. Fluroxypyr (Starane) and clopyralid (Stinger) were evaluated as single treatments and as a pre-mix (Wide Match) for broadleaf weed control in meadowfoam. Fluroxypyr was more effective on ivyleaf speedwell and shepherd's-purse than was clopyralid. The pre-mix provided better overall weed control than either herbicide alone. S-metolachlor (Dual), ethofumesate (Nortorn), and sulfentrazone (Spartan) were applied alone and in combinations in a study designed to evaluate weed control efficacy and meadowfoam tolerance. Ethofumesate treatments provided the least overall weed control. Sulfentrazone provided better control of mayweed chamomile, ivyleaf speedwell, and shepherd's-purse than did s-metolachlor or ethofumesate. There were no differences in seed yield among treatments. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University include Dr. Jennifer Kling (plant breeder), Dr. Carol Mallory-Smith (weed scientist), and Dr. Mary Slabaugh (molecular biologist). Dr. Kling oversees all of the breeding activities in the field and greenhouses, and Dr. Slabaugh manages the molecular genetic research for the project. Dr. Carol Mallory-Smith has conducted experiments to evaluate the safety and efficacy of potential herbicides for weed control in meadowfoam. Dr. Fred Stevens and Dr. Ralph Reed are collaborators from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Oregon State University. They established methods for enhancing herbicidal activity of meadowfoam seed meal by addition of enzyme-active seed material that converts glucolimnanthin into active degradation products. They have worked with Mr. Mike Martinez of Natural Plant Products (NPP) and the OMG Meadowfoam Oil Seed Growers Cooperative to investigate various formulations of the seed meal to develop a biopesticide product for commercial use. Mr. Jerry Hatteberg and Mr. Charles Ortiz of OMG have collaborated with the breeding program at OSU to identify growers' fields for trials and to refine selection criteria to meet grower and end-user needs and priorities. OSU scientists present research findings at the annual OMG meeting and participate in OMG field days. In 2008 a memorandum of understanding was signed between OSU, OMG and Dr. Virginia Lehman of Blue Moon Farms, LLC. The purpose of the agreement is to promote the exchange of germplasm and enhance breeding capacity and impact through collaboration with the private seed sector. TARGET AUDIENCES: The immediate beneficiaries of the project are the meadowfoam growers and grass seed producers in Oregon. Biopesticides from meadowfoam meal would also be beneficial to growers of high value nursery and organic crops in Oregon, California, Washington, and Idaho. The genomic tools developed are expected to contribute to basic knowledge about the genetic regulation of oil content and quality and glucosinolate biosynthesis and degradation in meadowfoam and related species. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Meadowfoam oil has a high content of stable, long-chain fatty acids, which give it unique physical and chemical properties. Oil from this new crop is a basic feedstock for the manufacture of cosmetics and also has potential for use in biolubricants, biopesticides, and other products. On national and regional levels, meadowfoam provides a unique and renewable source of industrial oil. On a local level, meadowfoam fills an important niche as a winter annual and alternate, high value crop that can be grown in rotation with grass seeds. Oregon produces over 95% of some of our nation's turf and forage grasses. Rotation crops are vital for economic sustainability and biological diversification and play a critical role in reducing weed, insect, and disease problems in grass seed production systems. Genetically superior cultivars are needed to increase on-farm productivity, grower profits, and the supply of meadowfoam oil. The four experimental varieties created in 2008-09 were planted in the fall of 2009 for increase and evaluation in yield trials. The most promising varieties will be released as cultivars. Selection for Fusarium resistance may be an effective means to reduce lodging in meadowfoam, which should improve harvestable yield and quality. Evaluation of synthetic varieties produced in 2008-09 will permit us to measure the response to selection for disease resistance and correlated improvements in seed yield and lodging resistance. Experiments are underway to evaluate the utility of molecular markers developed from this project as selection tools for improving oil and glucosinolate traits. Meadowfoam seed meal constitutes about 70% of harvested crop yield, but current commercial outlets for the meal are limited. Meadowfoam contains the glucosinolate, glucolimnanthin, whose degradation products have the potential to inhibit seed germination of other plant species. However, the myrosinase enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of glucosinolate is inactivated by commercial oil extraction methods. Technologies for enhancing the herbicidal activity of meadowfoam meal have been developed through this project and are being refined for large-scale production. Availability of a marketable biopesticide based on meadowfoam seed meal will increase the competitiveness and profitability of meadowfoam in the vegetable oil market and decrease the need for petroleum-based production of synthetic pesticides. Results from this project will assist in identifying and expanding options for effective herbicidal control of weeds in meadowfoam. We are in correspondence with companies with the goal of acquiring herbicide labels for sulfentrazone and ethofumesate for use on meadowfoam. Through the OMG Meadowfoam Oil Seed Growers cooperative, new crop cultivars, weed control practices and bioproducts from meadowfoam seed meal developed through this project are made available to an existing network for rapid dissemination and adoption by growers.
Publications
- Stevens, J. S., Reed, R.L., Alber, S., Pritchett, L., and Machado, S. (2009) Herbicidal activity of glucosinolate degradation products in fermented meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) meal. J. Agri. Food Chem. 57:1821-1826.
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