Adaptation potential of the novel oilseed crop, Honesty (Lunaria annua L.), to the Scottish climate

Abstract This paper reports on the adaptation potential of the biennial novel crop, Honesty ( Lunaria annua L.), to the Scottish climate. L. annua is being developed as a crop because of interest, by the oleochemical industry, in fatty acids contained within its seed, notably erucic and nervonic acids. Optimum sowing rate of the seed in these trials was approximately 15 kg ha −1 in rows spaced 0.5 m apart giving a spring plant population of approximately 20 plants m −2 . Crops gave best yields when sown around mid May to mid June. A sowing date after mid July is unlikely to produce a harvestable crop. It should be possible to achieve yields approaching 2 t ha −1 in a commercial situation in Scotland, with this figure comparable to yields attained in trials in Southern England and the Netherlands. However, large seasonal variations in yield may be observed, as was the case here. A fatty acid content approaching 30% of the seed dry weight should be possible, with around 23% of this being oleic acid, 46% erucic acid and 20% nervonic acid. A major hurdle to commercialisation of L. annua is its biennial nature, although annual cultivars are being developed.