New oilseed crop for western Illinois
One goal of the Alternative Crops Research Program at Western
Illinois University is to commercialize Cuphea production in the
McDonough County area of Illinois.
WIU researchers are collaborating with investigators from Oregon State
University, USDA-ARS, and the University of Georgia to adapt Cuphea’s unique
traits for agronomic cultivation. The
first field trials occurred at WIU in the summer of 2001 with continuing
experiments to evaluate stand establishment, weed control, planting date, and
inter-specific hybridization.
Traits
Cuphea is a small seeded crop with high levels of
lauric acid that is used in the detergent industry. Cuphea is an annual plant which is naturally indeterminate,
shattering, and sticky. Crosses
between Cuphea viscosissima and Cuphea lanceolata show the most
commercial and agronomic interest.
Prior and Continuing Research Projects
