SPECIES TRIALS WITH OIL PLANTS. I. CRAMBE

Abstract

Yields of seed of Crambe grown at Ottawa, Ontario, exceeded those of flax in comparative tests. Oil content averaged from 33 to 35 per cent and iodine number from 92.5 to 97.5. The oil is quite high in erucic acid. It has the following fatty acid composition–palmitic 1.7 per cent; stearic 1.0; oleic 16.7; linoleic 7.8; linolenic 6.9; eicosenoic 2.9; behenic 2.7, and erucic 55.7. The seed averaged 24 per cent protein and 15 per cent fibre. The meal contained 1.2 milligrams isothiocyanate and 5.1 milligrams thiooxazolidone per gram of oil-free meal.