Projects / Programmes
Introduction of alternative crops with high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the crop rotation, functional use of seeds, oil and secondary products in Slovenia
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.03.01 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
Agricultural plants |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B006 |
Biomedical sciences |
Agronomics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.01 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
flax, Linum usitatissimum L., hemp, Cannabis sativa L., false flax, Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz, ma
Researchers (21)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Among goals of the agricultural policy in Slovenia and EU is also safe, quality and low price food production and providing food safety and as high food self supply as possible. The proposed project includes complete investigation of possibilities for crops with high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (industrial hemp, flax and false flax) integration in the crop rotation as main crops and as catch crops. It would diversify field crop rotation of the Slovenian fields. We will also investigate the possibilities to use seeds and oil cakes as feed of domestic animals (chickens and porkers) and hemp fibres for hop twines.
Because of the climatic changes and more frequent weather extremes higher variability on the fields is essential and enables sustainable agriculture among other. Slovenia has no options for fishing industry increase. So, we have to provide correct supply of omega-3 fatty acids in another way. In Slovenia omega-3 enriched foodstuff of animal origin was started to be produced – eggs, chicken meat and pork. These foodstuffs are enriched in a natural way through animal nutrition. Unfortunately, plant source of omega-3 fatty acids for animal feed is entirely imported.
The project will fulfil all aspects of the present call for applications. With regard to the modest field crop rotation and more frequent dry periods we will conduct corresponding field experiments in different areas of Slovenia and on different soils. We will try to define the most appropriate varieties of all three investigated crops for our pedoclimatic conditions and to improve agrotechnique. At the same time we will go on the investigations up to this point in Slovenia and abroad.
The basis of the investigation will be field experiments on more locations. Seed yield from the field experiments will be chemically analysed and be the basis to define nutrition value for domestic animals. Agronomic results, results of chemical analyses and nutrition experiments will allow us to define the varieties which are the most suitable for production in our conditions. Out of hemp stems fibres will be produced, analysed and spined into rope which will be use as a twine for hops. It will be tested in hop field in the third year of the project.
The aim of the project is restoration of traditional crops production in Slovenia and higher extent of industrial hemp, flax and false flax production respectively. Agronomic and economic parameters will allow possibilities for sovereign decisions for production.
In the nutrition experiments with domestic animals the impact on the quality of animal fats as independent source of omega-3 in the feed and as a supplement and in combinations.
Considering the fact that the priority of agriculture is food and feed production, the yield and its quality and possibilities for introduction in the animal nutrition (chickens and porkers) will be investigated (seeds and oil cakes). Results will be guidelines for testing these omega-3 rich row materials in the nutrition of other domestic animals (pigs, cattle,...). Chemical analyse of seeds, produced in different environments, will offer information to pharmaceutical industry for further work in their field.
As it is demanded, the emphasis of the project will be given to optimal transmission of the knowledge to practise.
Significance for science
A contribution to the development of science will have the results of chemical analyses of in field trials included treatments that explain the impact of weather conditions and soil/location on yield, fat content, fat yield and fatty acid composition of different varieties of flax and Camelina, which has not been fully elucidated, and certainly not in our growing conditions. At Camelina in the Savinja Valley, within our experiments, downy mildew, caused by the fungus Hyaloperonospora camelinae was detected for the first time in Slovenia. Representative samples are stored in the herbarium of Slovenian Institute of hop Research and Brewing. On this subject, we published First Report of downy mildew Caused by Hyaloperonospora camelinae on Camelina sativa and Slovenia in the journal Plant Disease. Since varieties showed different disease susceptibility, we expect the impact on the development of science in this area as well. Within the scope of the rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids in the feed of farm animals in recent years a number of studies has been done; more about using linseed, but much less on the use of Camelina. Since dietary experiments on domestic animals have in abundance, we believe that we have confirmed some of the research findings and have contributed a stone in the mosaic of knowledge about the transmission of omega-3 fatty acids from feed to animal tissues. In particular, further research of the integration of oil cake of Camelina in animal nutrition will be interesting.
Significance for the country
The long-term significance is seen in the introduction of flax and camelina in field crop rotation in Slovenia on the one hand (also possibility for oil production; increased economic competitiveness of farmers) and the use of flax seeds, as well as oil cakes of camelina on the other hand as an additive in feed of all kinds and categories of domestic animals. A double positive effect is achieving: a) at animals: - improved fertility of dairy cows, - improved health status of fattening pigs; b) in foodstuffs of animal origin: omega-3 enriched products of animal origin, such as: - hens' eggs - pork, - chicken meat and - milk fat. All of this mean that more people will eat healthier and have indirect impact on reducing the extent of civilization diseases of our time in Slovenia. Recommendations for the integration of flax and camelina in field crop rotation in our growing conditions and the responses of different varieties of each of these two oilseeds on the location of the production will assist in the selection of suitable variety for certain locations. They will also help in their efficient integration in field crop rotation and implementation of production technology, leading to adequate and quality yields with minimum negative impact on the environment. Based on the results, we produced a complementary feed for different animal species and put it in our market. Panvita d.d., based on the results of these experiments, decided to produce flax. Many chemical analyzes of seed, oil and oil cakes, which have been made within the project, will help not only for selecting varieties of flax or camelina for the production and integration in feed, but also cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report
