Crops Crambe (Crambe abyssinica)

Summary Information



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Seedling

Young plant

Crambe abyssinica is an annual, developing a strong taproot and aerial growth which may attain over 1 m in height. The large lobed or notched leaves have well-defined midribs, and sometimes become tinged with red when older.

Flowers

Plants branch profusely, the smooth tapering stems bearing sprays of small, yellow-centred white flowers, the outer flowers on each branch opening first.

Ripe seedheads

Each flower produces a single seed, which develops within its own pod: the whole plant ripens in late summer to a light yellow or tan colour, when the crop is ready for harvest. Crambe does not possess a high level of frost resistance and in Northern Europe is best considered as a spring crop, sown during late April; in Southern areas earlier or winter sowing may be possible.

Seeds

Seeds may be sown in pod or decorticated, at rates of 15- 20 kg per ha, in drills 15-35 cm apart, to establish a population of about 100 plants per square metre. Limited information suggests that fertiliser requirements are about 75 kg per ha nitrogen and 60 kg each of phosphate and potash per ha. Some pre-emergence herbicides have been used safely on an experimental basis; rapid later growth should suppress weeds effectively. The flowering period usually lasts for about 3 weeks; the flowers may host pollen beetles (Meligethes spp.) but it is not certain that these cause serious damage; however, shortage of water during flowering or seed-set may cause loss of yield and reduction in oil content. The crop is suitable for combining, usually with little shattering, though the pods seem not to be held too strongly. Yields are variable at between 1 and 2.5 t undecorticated seed per ha. Investigations are continuing in a number of countries to improve knowledge of the agronomic requirements of the crop and to evaluate the genetic variability available for breeding purposes. Industrial interest may increase as improved cultivars become available and the causes of yield instability become better understood. It may be possible to improve meal quality by chemical or enzymatic control of glucosinolates, which could, in turn, become useful starting points in the manufacture of other products such as polymers: additionally, uses may be found for the fibre, which has absorbent properties.