Determination of the Potential of New Mustard Family Winter Oilseed Cover Crop Species for Renewable Aviation Fuel (RPA Pilot/ Seed Project)

This proposed research aims to develop a winter oilseed cover crop suitable for the mid-south United States, particularly Kentucky, that is easy to establish, suppresses winter annual weeds, and provides a high-oil, sustainable feedstock for aviation biofuels (Sustainable Aviation Fuel, SAF). Winter oilseed crops, such as pennycress, offer a promising solution to modern agricultural challenges. Their high oil content and favorable composition make them ideal candidates for producing SAF and other domestically sourced biofuels. Clean-burning biofuels derived from winter oilseeds could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40-60% compared to conventional petroleum fuels. Beyond biofuel production, the residual seed meal has versatile applications, including livestock feed, biofumigants, industrial adhesives, and secondary energy sources. This project focuses on characterizing a locally isolated garlic pennycress species, Mummenhoffia alliaceae, which exhibits desirable traits such as high oil content and tolerance to abiotic stresses. A mutant screen will be conducted to identify variants with improved traits, including reduced seed shattering, higher seed oil content, and soil-enhancing properties. Further genomic analysis and intercrossing of top-performing lines will be conducted to refine these beneficial traits. By optimizing pennycress and related species as low-input, high-yield oilseed crops, this research aims to contribute to renewable energy production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote agricultural sustainability. The findings will support the development of a commercially viable winter oilseed crop that complements existing food production systems while providing an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels.