After 25 years of research, commercial release is nearing for a drought tolerant oilseed crop suited to three million hectares of drought prone southern Australian farm land.

WA’s oilseed industry has been underpinned by a canola crop that peaked at 900,000 hectares in 1999/2000 but fell to 355,000 ha last season as growers reacted to the crop’s disappointing performance over consecutive dry seasons from 2001 to 2003.

To help rebuild oilseed productivity, researchers supported by growers and the Federal Government, through the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), are refining a canola relative for use in dry areas.

Brassica juncea, or Indian mustard, is a relative of canola (Brassica napus) with drought and heat tolerance and better resistance to canola diseases such as blackleg, according to research leader, Wayne Burton of the National Brassica Improvement Program and Primary Industries Research Victoria.

“Unfortunately, its oil did not initially have the necessary fatty acid profile to meet human market specifications, but those characteristics are being introduced from a Canadian variety using swift crossing techniques. 

Recent trials have shown that the intensive breeding for improved B.juncea oil quality did not temper yield potential, with the hybrids delivering similar yields to canola.

Also, its durability in difficult conditions should enable it to survive seasons in marginal areas receiving as little as 225 mm of annual rainfall. An oilseed adapted to 225 – 350 mm rainfall offers resident growers a rotational tool to help control weeds with grass selective herbicides, while managing insects and diseases built up during cereal phases.

Less refined, higher yielding B.juncea varieties could also contribute to alternative biofuel industries, according to Western Region GRDC Crop Improvement Program member, Dr Juliann Lloyd-Smith.

“Enquiries have been made about the commercial release of more basic B.juncea varieties that produce oil which can be mixed with diesel to produce a cleaner burning biodiesel,” she explained.

Human consumption varieties of B.juncea should be released in two years, while biodiesel varieties could be released sooner. 

The GRDC has commissioned a scoping study on the potential of various Australian oilseed crops for use as biodiesel.