University News
Alternative Crops Field Day
June 19, 2002
MACOMB, IL -- You're in the hotseat on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and Regis asks which of the following is not an alternative crop: cuphea, niger, sicklepod or soybeans. Would you know the answer? Now is your chance to learn more about alternative crops and their benefits to farmers at the second annual Western Illinois University Alternative Crops Field Day Thursday, July 18 at Western's Ag Field Lab.
The field day will be held from 2-4 p.m. at the lab, located directly north of Western's Harry Mussatto Golf Course on Tower Road. WIU agriculture assistant professor Win Phippen, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Peoria lab, is working on groundbreaking research to create a new cash crop known as cuphea (COO-fee-ah), as well as niger (NIE-ger) and milkweed. These crops, along with test plots of kenaf (KUH-naf), will be the focus at the field day. Representatives from the Natural Fibers Corporation in Ogallala, NE will discuss the milkweed market; spokespersons from Omni Ventures Cooperative in southern Illinois will talk about kenaf; and WIU agriculture student Vince Davis will present his research on pre emergent herbicide use on cuphea.
Cuphea is a wild plant, and Phippen, with the help of WIU research technician Sue Ellen Pegg and undergraduate agriculture students, is attempting to domesticate the plant, making it a determinate plant so it matures all at once for harvesting purposes. Cuphea contains lauric acid which is the primary ingredient in cosmetics, soaps and detergents. The current main source in the U.S. for this ingredient is imported coconut and palm kernel oils, Phippen explained. In an average year, the 500,000 tons of imported oils cost about $300 million.
Phippen explained that cuphea, an annual plant, is one he hopes will be treated like soybeans; however, it would not be considered competition for corn and soybean markets.
Last year's cuphea research results revealed that the plant has shallow roots that are easily damaged by mechanical cultivation, and that cuphea shows no response to fertilization with nitrogen. One of this year's research goals includes cross-pollinating high lauric acid plants to develop suitable lauric lines for commercial production.
Phippen added that niger seed is best known in the U.S. as a high-value bird food. Oil extracted from the seed is used in foods, paints, soaps and livestock feed. Last year, four lines were identified as suitable for this area. The focus of 2002 niger research is the identification of plants for use in breeding commercial varieties in the U.S.
Milkweed floss is used as fill in pillows and comforters, and the seed is sold to butterfly farms and utilized in prairie restoration. Milkweed seed oil is also rich in Vitamin E and is used by the cosmetics industry. In 2001, first-year pod production was possible with transplanted materials, however the seed and floss produced was immature and unviable.
Research will continue through this year to investigate planting densities, along with harvesting, drying and storing methods.
Kenaf can be used for rope, canvas and carpet backing and soap/paints/oils. Plants grew rapidly last year and reached an average height of 12 feet. Currently, kenaf yield trials are underway to assess four varieties in western Illinois.
"We really want to introduce farmers to alternative crops and the potential these crops have," Phippen explained. "The outcome unfortunately doesn't happen overnight or in a few days. We are in the first phases of research now, but I'm confident we will create crops that will help the Illinois growers and the state."
For more information on the Alternative Crops Field Day, which is open free to the public, contact Phippen at 309/298-1251 or by e-mail at WB-Phippen@wiu.edu, or Pegg at 309/298-1522 or by e-mail at SE-Pegg@wiu.edu. Information may also be obtained by visiting www.cbt.wiu.edu/Win_Phippen.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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