Genetic Improvement Of Genetic Improvement Of Castor In the Western Castor In the Western

Hemisphere Hemisphere

Dick Auld – TTU/ TX AgriLife ResearchDick Auld – TTU/ TX AgriLife ResearchSteve Oswalt – Texas Tech UniversitySteve Oswalt – Texas Tech University

Travis Miller – Texas AgriLife ExtensionTravis Miller – Texas AgriLife ExtensionCarlos Demant – UNESP/ TTUCarlos Demant – UNESP/ TTU

Mauricio Zanotto – UNESP (Brazil)Mauricio Zanotto – UNESP (Brazil)Liv Severino – EMBRAPA (Brazil)Liv Severino – EMBRAPA (Brazil)

Alejandro Navas – CORPOICA (Columbia)Alejandro Navas – CORPOICA (Columbia)

Castor Genetic Improvement Castor Genetic Improvement “The Rest of the U.S.A Team” “The Rest of the U.S.A Team”

Brian Baldwin – MSU Brian Baldwin – MSU Tom McKeon – USDA-ARS (Albany)Tom McKeon – USDA-ARS (Albany)Grace Chen – USDA-ARS (Albany)Grace Chen – USDA-ARS (Albany)Calvin Trostle – Texas AgriLife Ext.Calvin Trostle – Texas AgriLife Ext.Mike Foster – Texas AgriLife ResearchMike Foster – Texas AgriLife ResearchTom Kilcer – Cornell ExtensionTom Kilcer – Cornell ExtensionAlan Taylor – Cornell Geneva Ctr.Alan Taylor – Cornell Geneva Ctr.Bill Crosby – Univ. of Windsor (Canada)Bill Crosby – Univ. of Windsor (Canada)

Mamona (Portuguese)Mamona (Portuguese)

A Lady of Dubious CharacterA Lady of Dubious CharacterAnd the Castor PlantAnd the Castor Plant

““A Little Dangerous”A Little Dangerous”

““Slightly Hot Blooded”Slightly Hot Blooded”

““Very Promiscuous”Very Promiscuous”

Mamona - CastorMamona - Castor

““A Little Dangerous”A Little Dangerous”

Ricin ToxinRicin Toxin

““Slightly Hot Blooded”Slightly Hot Blooded”

World Wide in the TropicsWorld Wide in the Tropics

““Very Promiscuous”Very Promiscuous”

Pollinates Over Five MilesPollinates Over Five Miles

Tracking pollen flow in Mississippi USA99.8% of all pollen limited to 6-6.5m

Castor Improvement for Biodiesel & Castor Improvement for Biodiesel & Industrial Oil for All AmericaIndustrial Oil for All America

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Castor - (Castor - (RicinusRicinus communiscommunis L.) L.)

Seed YieldSeed Yield: 1000 to 3,360 kg/ha : 1000 to 3,360 kg/ha Oil ContentOil Content: 45 to 60% (500 to 1,800 l/ha): 45 to 60% (500 to 1,800 l/ha) Fatty AcidsFatty Acids: 85% ricinoleic acid: 85% ricinoleic acid DisadvantagesDisadvantages: Ricin & Allergens: Ricin & Allergens AdvantagesAdvantages: Highest Oil Yields of Any : Highest Oil Yields of Any

Temperately Adapted Oilseed Crop PlantTemperately Adapted Oilseed Crop Plant

Genetic Yield Genetic Yield EnhancementEnhancement

Castor

Future Castor ResearchFuture Castor Research

Reduced Reduced Ricin ToxinRicin ToxinImproved Improved

Water UseWater Use

Conventional Genetics to Conventional Genetics to Reduce Ricin Levels in CastorReduce Ricin Levels in Castor

2003 - Release TTU LRC Germplasm2003 - Release TTU LRC Germplasm Crop Sci 43 : 746-747Crop Sci 43 : 746-747

2009 - Release of 2009 - Release of ‘Brigham’ Castor‘Brigham’ CastorHale = 4,210 ug/ml (38% Total Proteins)Hale = 4,210 ug/ml (38% Total Proteins)Brigham = 416 ug/ml (4% Total Proteins)Brigham = 416 ug/ml (4% Total Proteins)

2012 – Future Castor Varieties2012 – Future Castor VarietiesMcKeon = 40 ug/ml (0.4% Total Proteins)McKeon = 40 ug/ml (0.4% Total Proteins)

Three University CollaborationThree University Collaboration

Tissue cultureTissue culture Elimination of ricin by genetic Elimination of ricin by genetic

transformationtransformation Elimination of the allergensElimination of the allergens Leading to safe castorLeading to safe castor

Dryland Castor Production inDryland Castor Production in North East BrazilNorth East Brazil

Hand HarvestedHand Harvested

Lack of LocalTransportation

Limited Mechanized HarvestLimited Mechanized Harvest

Charter Members of the “Mamona Mafia”

Columbia, U.S., & BrazilColumbia, U.S., & Brazil

Excellent Excellent Drought Drought ToleranceTolerance

Salt ToleranceSalt Tolerance

Hybrid Vigor

Genetic Diversity

Genetic DiversityGenetic Diversity

Broad Adaptation

North American Castor North American Castor ProductionProduction

High Yielding & Adapted VarietiesHigh Yielding & Adapted Varieties

Drought & Salt Tolerant VarietiesDrought & Salt Tolerant Varieties

Mechanized Production & HarvestingMechanized Production & Harvesting

Cost Effective & Sustainable ProductionCost Effective & Sustainable Production

1. Semi-dwarf Plant 1. Semi-dwarf Plant Varieties.Varieties.2.2. Apply Plant Growth Regulators.Apply Plant Growth Regulators.3.3. Fully Mechanized Production.Fully Mechanized Production.4.4. Production on Marginal Land.Production on Marginal Land.

“ “ Most Economical Source Most Economical Source of Industrial Oil Feedstocks”of Industrial Oil Feedstocks”

Production of Castor onProduction of Castor onthe Texas High Plains the Texas High Plains

Production Field of ‘Hale’ CastorProduction Field of ‘Hale’ Castor Lubbock, Texas in 2008Lubbock, Texas in 2008

Production Field of ‘Hale’ CastorMemphis, Tennessee in 2006

Combine Harvest ofCombine Harvest of‘‘Hale’ Castor SeedHale’ Castor Seed

Castor Seed in CombineCastor Seed in Combine Prior to CleaningPrior to Cleaning

Clean Seed Yield ExceededClean Seed Yield Exceeded 3,000 kg/ha3,000 kg/ha

Castor has a Castor has a Promising FuturePromising Future

AcknowledgementAcknowledgement

Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Research and Extension and Texas Tech UniversityExtension and Texas Tech University

Ms. Marjorie KlaymanMs. Marjorie KlaymanAlnor Oil Company, Inc.Alnor Oil Company, Inc.

Dr. Travis Miller – Texas A&MDr. Travis Miller – Texas A&M

Dr. John B. Morris (USDA-ARS)Dr. John B. Morris (USDA-ARS)Griffin, GA (Germplasm)Griffin, GA (Germplasm)