November 28, 2002
By Susan Thompson
Communications Specialist
Iowa State University College of Agriculture

Ralph Waldo Emerson once described a weed as "a plant whose virtues  have not yet been discovered." Such is the case with cuphea, a plant that's getting attention as a possible new oilseed crop.

There are approximately 260 species of cuphea growing from the United States to South America. About 18 show some potential for being grown as a crop. It's anticipated that cuphea could be planted and harvested with the same type of equipment now used for soybeans.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is conducting research on cuphea at several locations, including Iowa State University research and demonstration farms near
Castana, Calumet and Lewis. Research into the agronomic potential for cuphea is led by Russ Gesch at a USDA-ARS unit in Morris, Minn. Frank Forcella, a USDA-ARS research agronomist, participated in a fall field day at the Castana location.

"We weren't certain the crop would grow in Iowa," Forcella said. "Researchers in Illinois have had continual problems. But in Morris, we have had good success with cuphea. So we wanted to know more about the latitudinal range over which cuphea might be grown."

Three sets of plots were planted at the ISU farms, with similar plots established on three University of Minnesota research farms. Planting was done in early and late May and again in early June, in an effort
to learn the best planting and harvesting dates and methods. Other management practices, plus the environmental needs of cuphea, were studied. "So far, the research shows cuphea grows quite well in
Iowa," Forcella said.

Wayne Roush manages the ISU Research and Demonstration Farm near Castana. He described the cuphea plots there as weed-free and healthy. "We've had a fair amount of interest in cuphea and other
plants that might provide a third crop for Iowa growers," Roush said. "We know that disease and insect problems would be fewer if we could broaden our crop base beyond corn and soybeans."

It's not enough to find a new crop. There must be a market for it. Cuphea produces seeds with high levels of lauric acid, an ingredient used in the detergent industry, and now derived mostly from coconut
and palm oils. The research is supported by Procter & Gamble and Archer Daniels Midland Co. "These companies want a domestic source," Forcella said. "Procter & Gamble has said it would purchase the
equivalent of 1 to 2 million acres of cuphea if a high-lauric-acid variety can be grown."

Forcella expects the cuphea research to continue at least five more years. "Cuphea produces a product that cannot be made from corn or soybeans, so it would be a true alternative crop. It would add nicely to the small list of crops that could be grown in rotation with corn and beans," he said.