Nigerseed: Specialty Grain Opportunity for Midwestern US

Nigerseed as an Oilseed Crop Nigerseed (Guizotia abyssinica, Asteraceae) is native to Africa, from Ethiopia to Malawi, and was probably domesticated in Ethiopia. Early introduction of nigerseed to India was followed by the development of sizeable commercial production (Simmonds 1976) and neighboring Pakistan also cultivates the crop (Weiss 2000). Nigerseed is an important oil crop in Ethiopia and parts of India, where it is grown by peasant farmers, in traditional agriculture systems. In Ethiopia, nigerseed, provides about 50% to 60% of that country’s edible oil, while in India, nigerseed accounts for almost 2% of total oilseeds produced. India is reported to have total nigerseed production of 200,000 tonnes (t) (440 million lb.), with the vast majority being exported to Europe, Japan, and the US for the birdfeed market (STAT Publishing 2000). Another source (Weiss 2000) reports that the production of India and Ethiopia together is estimated to be 318,000– 340,000 tonnes (700 to 750 million lb.). Niger crop breeding efforts have been limited to Ethiopia and India (FAO 1988; Riley and Belayneh 1989). Ethiopian types are of three maturity groups and tend to be shorter, more branched, and tolerate cooler conditions than the Indian types (FAO 1988). Niger is cultivated in both temperate and tropical climates, being considered a temperate-region plant that has adapted to a semi-tropical environment. It prefers moderate temperatures for growth, from about 19° to 30°C (mid 60°s to 80°s F), and although the seedlings are not frost tolerant, temperatures down to 9°C (48°F) have no effect on growth (Weiss 2000). Yields of nigerseed reported in literature have varied from 250 to 500 kg/ha (224 to 448 lb./acre) (Riley and Belayneh 1989), to 750 kg/ha (672 lb./acre) (Duke 1983), and to over 1,255 kg/ha (1,120 lb./acre) (Weiss 2000). However, Weiss’s statement that “yields of over 1,255 kg/ha (1,120 lb./acre) have been achieved by sowing newer cultivars” seems the most relevant.