Ways to Increase Camelina (Camelina Sativa (L.) Crantz) Productivity in Russia’s Nonchernozem Zone

Abstract—In the nonchernozem zone of Russia, including the Ryazan oblast, spring camelina is a minor crop like other oilseeds, such as flax, rape, and mustard species. Expansion of this crop is constrained by lack of exhaustive recommendations on its cultivation technology. The aims were to study the productivity characteristics of the Yubilar spring camelina variety and to optimize the main elements of the variety-specific technology (seeding rate and sowing time) for obtaining high and stable yields of oilseeds in this region. The research was conducted at the Kostychev Ryazan State Agrotechnological University on the experimental fields of the Agrotechnopark Education and Scientific Innovation Center in Ryazan raion of Ryazan oblast on gray forest soils. To obtain stable sustainable yields of spring camelina, the crop density at harvesting time should be at least 420 plants/m2, while the optimal density is 400–450 plants m–2. Increasing the seeding rate above 8 million units of viable seeds per 1 ha led to a very dense crop stand, which led to a decrease in both yield and quality of seeds. The seeding rate of 7.0 million viable seeds per 1 ha should be considered optimal for spring camelina. Increasing the rate up to 8.0 million units per 1 ha did not significantly enhance crop productivity but caused an excessive seed discharge, while deteriorating the sprouting quality and increasing the risk of lodging and diseases. The best sowing period in our experiments was the first decade of May.