Authors : Diego M.C. Brito, Silvana C.R. Barreto, Fabiola V. Goncalves, Rosane N. Castro and Sonia R. Souza
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of different nitrate (NO3¯-N) doses (1.0, 2.5 and 7.5 mM) under nitrogen metabolism on Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) concentrations, grain and oil yields and the oil composition of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst. ex. R.E. Fries), considering its utilization in biodiesel production or as a source of erucic acid. The experiment was conducted in a hydroponic system located in a greenhouse and at the end of the vegetative stage, the fresh weight and the NO3¯-N levels of each plant part were evaluated. At the end of seed maturation, NO3¯-N, amino-N, ammonium soluble sugars, total N P and K levels, nitrate reductase activity, grain and oil yields and the oil profile were determined. Under 1 mM NO3¯-N plants displayed intense N reduction and assimilation activities, a high oil yield and high erucic acid levels. Moreover with 2.5 mM NO3¯-N, the plants displayed an increase in oil quality for use as biodiesel because of high levels of myristic and palmitic acids and low levels of erucic and tetracosanoic acids. Therefore, the use of low NO3¯-N levels for crambe cultivation can be a viable method for oil production both for erucic acid extraction and biodiesel purposes, reducing production costs and environmental problems.
Diego M.C. Brito, Silvana C.R. Barreto, Fabiola V. Goncalves, Rosane N. Castro and Sonia R. Souza, 2014. Productivity, Fatty Acid Profiles and Nitrogen Metabolism of Crambe Under Varied Nitrate Levels. Agricultural Journal, 9: 38-44.