Evaluation of various species of winter oleaginous plants for the production of biodiesel in the State of Parana, Brazil

The aim of this study was to assess the 1000-seed weight (M1000) and oil content of seeds of canola (Brassica napus L.), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst), flax (Linum usitatissimum) and radish (Raphanus sativus L.), grown in fall/winter at four locations in the State of Parana (Brazil) with varying edaphoclimatic features, and intended for the production of biodiesel. The weight of the 1000 seeds (M1000) measurement was conducted using an electronic counter (ESC 2008 SANICK). Seed moisture content was determined using the oven drying method at 105 degrees C. The Soxhlet method was used to extract and quantify the oil. The weight of the 1000 seeds was higher for canola, safflower and crambe grown at the Londrina location. At the four locations evaluated, the cultivar that produced seeds with the highest oil content was crambe FMS Brilhante, followed by canola, flax, safflower and radish. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the edaphoclimatic conditions at the locations, and in particular the temperature, which had no effect on M1000 and oil content. The oilseed plants with the highest M1000 value did not have the highest oil content, and there was an inverse relationship between M1000 and oil content.