Evaluating camelina genotypes for improved nitrogen use efficiency and yield with reduced nitrogen

Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) is a promising bioenergy crop with wide environmental adaptation, but nitrogen (N) requirements affect the sustainable production. Sixteen camelina genotypes were planted in 3 years in Sideny, MT at high and low N levels to evaluate nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and yield in response to soil N. Results showed extensive variations among genotypes for plant height, seed yield, and seed oil and N concentrations at both N levels. The top-yielding genotypes were MT143 (2122 kg ha-1) and MT229 (2119 kg ha-1) across years and N levels. Genotypes MT144 and MT229 had the highest oil concentrations independent of N levels with an average value of 407 g kg-1 for both genotypes. The nitrogen use efficiency based on oil yield (NUEOY) determined by (1) N uptake efficiency (NUpE) and (2) N transfer efficiency based on oil yield (NUtEOY) showed large genotypic variations. MT143 had the highest NUpE (2.38 kg kg-1), especially at low N, and MT229 and MT144 had the highest NUtEOY (8.67 and 8.58 kg kg-1, respectively). Overall, especially in low N, MT229 had the highest NUEOY (19.47 kg oil kg N-1) followed by MT143 (18.12 kg oil kg N-1). High broad-sense heritability (H 2b) values were observed for seed yield and oil concentration, but not for seed N concentration at low N. The genotype + genotype-by-environment interaction biplots demonstrated which genotype won low and high N environments, and the analysis of means showed genotypes that had traits significantly higher or lower than the group means. The information and genetic materials may be used for further plant breeding.

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