Ancient Plant May Become New Source of Biofuel

Researchers are all abuzz over a promising new source of biofuel that flourished almost 3,500 years ago in Europe. Camelina, if planted on a large scale on marginal farmland from eastern Washington to North Dakota, could provide a significant source of clean energy.

Canola, Soybeans is widely used as a biofuels, but costs of producing it may outweigh the benefits it provides, a clean biofuel. Researchers have identified an ancient planet, Camelina, which was abundant 3,500 years ago in Europe. Steven Guy, a crop management specialist and professor at the University of Idaho is excited about this group and says it has excellent potential, is unlike any other product he has seen in 30 years research.

This Camelina can be grown in any arid environment, they are cold and drought tolerant, needs only little maintenance, water, fertilizer and pesticide. It produces more oil from its seeds for a lower price.

It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, which are believed to reduce high blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease. After their biofuels use, the remainder can be used to feed livestock.

Preliminary experiments have shown excellent promise, but not many are planting this at the moment except in Montana, where 50,000 acres of Camelina have already been planted.

"We actually think it might be the next wonder crop," said Tom Todaro, the chief executive of Targeted Growth, a Seattle biotech firm that hopes to produce enough seed to plant 1 million acres by 2009.

Soybeans, which constitute approximately 85 percent of the feedstock used for biodiesel in the United States, are largely grown in the Midwest. Other place in the inland Northwest and states like Wyoming and North Dakota has been focusing mostly on canola. With the advent of Camelina, the farmers have a great alternative.

Don Wysocki, an associate professor at Oregon State University thinks that if they have an operating biofuels industry in the Northwest, Camelina would be the ideal feedstock.

The National Biodiesel Board, a trade group that represents the biodiesel industry, has yet to take a stand on Camelina. "It is one of the newer feedstocks being examined," said Amber Thurlo Pearson, a spokeswoman. "We are a feedstock-neutral organization."

Targeted Growth in Seattle is trying to use a “hyper accelerated breeding” program to boost the yield of oil in the crops, says it won’t have to resort to genetically modifying Camelina and won’t require FDA approval.

Camelina offers excellent potential; it could be used as a healthy alternative. Any less reliance on oil is good news.

Ref: Tree Hugger