Development of Safflower as a New Biomass Energy Crop for the Lower Great Plains of North America

2013 USDA-NIFA Seed Award

Principal Investigators and affiliations:
PI:  Dr. Jason Warren (Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University)
Co-PI:  Dr. Chad Godsey (Oklahoma State University)

Funded: $32,001
Start Date: 1/29/2013

End Date: 1/29/2015

Expected Outcomes

The overall goal of this proposal is to successfully introduce a frost-seeded safflower crop that is well adapted to the Lower Great Plains Region to ensure sustainable production of biodiesel. This new class of cold tolerant safflower will allow plant growth during cooler months of early spring, reducing evapo-transpiration and overall demand for irrigation water.

 

As currently structured this program will develop information and new products in the three areas of research.

 

1. Genetic Enhancement: Screening of the segregating generations derived from these crosses at locations across this region will generate germplasm populations and potential experimental cultivars. These lines and populations will combine good winter survival with high oil content and high oleic acid content.
2. Agronomic Evaluation: The proposed studies combined with historical data will provide a comprehensive agronomic production guideline for producing winter safflower across the Southern Great Plains.
3. Extension and Outreach: A preliminary safflower production guide for safflower for the three states was prepared in the fall of 2009. The document will be updated annually and maintained online for viewing, printing, and downloading, and it will be updated as new information is available.