Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Work conducted at Univ. KY and also by Chris Kummer has indicated that chia, Salvia hispanica, has the potential to be an economically viable new crop for KY farmers but agronomic improvements and/or additional product markets are needed. The objectives of this research are to: 1.) Continue to develop new chia lines with improved yield and other agronomic performance characteristics by traditional breeding and further mutagenesis particularly seed retention, lower lodging and larger seeds. 2.) Analysis of the genotype and environmental effects on seed composition of materials produced in 2016. 3.) Economical conversion of chia oil into high value lubricants. 4.) Further market development of nutrigel fiber, ?3 applications and improved protein product streams from chia including as fish and shrimp feed. The most promising lines from the 2016 harvests will be used in replicated agronomic performance trials at UK research farms in 2017. Data on total plant biomass and seed yield will be collected, as well as flowering date, harvest date, lodging score, and any pest problems. Harvested seed will be analyzed for protein, oil, fatty acids and fiber.
The most promising chia germplasm from around the world has been assembled and our most promising line was subjected to a further round of mutagenesis. Lines with larger seed, higher oil, reduced lodging and lower shattering are being evaluated in the field in 2016 and most promising lines further analyzed in 2017. Breeding for higher yielding chia lines that can set seed in Kentucky will continue by crossing with the best additional chia genetic materials. These will be planted by mid- to late May for full-season chia. Some will also again be planted in mid-July to assess if any of these lines will be suitable for double cropping behind wheat or barley or even flax or winter canola. To ensure that meaningful results are obtained for farmers, minimal irrigation will be applied if needed to obtain a moderate crop in the 2017 growing season.
For commercialization of these lines as a high ?3 oil in addition to whole seeds we are further screening and selecting lines for higher oil and ?3 levels. We have established a very efficient screen for higher oil chia lines and have found considerable variability for oil content. Thus we will be able to readily develop new higher oil lines. NMR and NIRS oil, protein and moisture calibrations that have been developed will be applied to selecting higher oil and protein chia lines. Further work will be conducted on processing and marketing chia for new commercialization opportunities for KY growers for food, health, aquaculture and renewable chemical markets. Accumulating evidence indicates that chia may be the best source of soluble fiber in addition to ?3 fatty acids. We will further study the formation, isolation, health properties, processing and marketing opportunity of chia water adsorbing fiber in addition to the oil and high protein meal especially the viscosity as this is a very important parameter for the marketing of such products for food, health, cosmetic and industrial applications. Removal of as much of the fiber as readily feasible to another product stream will likely make the remaining high protein/high ?3 meal more valuable as fish feed. The oxidative stability of chia oil and whole chia seed products compared to commodity and high ?3 oil sources will be further studied for special high value health, nutraceutical and food applications. The chemical processes for converting chia oil into a high value renewable lubricant/motor oil and fuel cell energy source will be refined and compared to competitive oil sources.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 9/1/16 → 12/31/17 |
Funding
- Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association: $25,445.00
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