Mustards

Australian Agricultural Crop Technologies (AACT) has recently entered into a project to further develop the agronomic and marketing packages for a range of specialty oil seed crops. The speciality oil seed crops have been developed in a joint project of Agriculture Victoria and Monsanto Australia Ltd.

Material from the HEMOLA™ and MUSCON™ SOP has been included in variety evaluation trials. All material included in this project has been conventionally bred (i.e. it is ‘non-transgenic’).

HEMOLA™ SOP – High Erucic Acid Rapeseed
HEMOLA™ is the trademark for specialty types of rapeseed (Brassica napus) whose oil comprises a high level (around 50%) erucic acid C22:1 (Canola has low erucic acid <2%)

This oil profile is of increasing interest for a wide range of specialty non-food products, including Bio-diesel.

To date, three HEMOLA™ cultivars have been developed ranging in maturity to suit most regions.

HEMOLA™ Advantages

· Agronomic management identical to Canola

· Good levels of blackleg resistance (HE-614: 8, HE-801: 6, HE-805: 6)

· Medium to tall plant height

· Yields comparable to Canola

· Alternative market opportunities

MUSCON™ - High Glucosinolate (“Condiment”) Mustards

MUSCON™ is the trademark for Condiment mustards bred from Brassica juncea.
The Condiment mustard program includes both Brown and Yellow seeded forms of Brassica juncea that are well suited to Australian
growing conditions.

The variety MUSCON™ Advanced variety – M-973 has been
grown commercially, other improved experimental lines are included.

MUSCON™ Advantages

· Agronomic management similar to canola

· Good level of Blackleg resistance

· Suited to later sowing than Canola

· Much more drought and heat resistant than canola (stress tolerant)

· Yield better in lower rainfall areas

· Excellent seedling vigour

· Better ground cover and weed competition than canola

· Does not normally lodge (direct head)

· Provides soil bio-fumigation effects (high level of glucosinolates)

These trials are apart of a national evaluation program currently being undertaken by AACT. Market research and development is a major part of the project undertaking. Prospects for alternative income and diversification to growers through the production of specialty oilseeds are likely.