Seeding Date and Performance of Specialty Oilseeds in North Dakota

Interest in oilseeds and oilseed crop production has recently been heightened by the growing potential for biofuels. Traditional oil seed crops, such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., Asteraceae), flax (Linum usitatissimum L., Linaceae), and more recently canola (Brassica napus L., Brassicaceae) have become crops of major importance in the region. The key to their production success is multi-faceted, but an important factor is the development of good agronomic production practices. Borage (Borago officinalis L., Boraginaceae) and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L., Onagraceae) oils are two of the primary sources of gamma linolenic acid, C18:3 (GLA) and are in demand for nutritional, medicinal, and cosmetic markets (Simon et al. 1990). Healthy adults will typically produce GLA from dietary linolenic acid within the body, but this synthesis can be negatively affected during illness and with increased age. Pharmacologically, GLA is used for the treatment of atopic eczema and has some anti-viral and anti-cancer properties (Napier and Michaelson 2001).