Exploring the Potential Use of Camelina Sativa as a Biofuel Crop for Nevada

The objective of this research is to explore the feasibility of using Camelina sativa, an oilseed crop as an alternative feedstock for biodiesel production. To establish it as a potential biofuel crop in Nevada, C. sativa seeds were treated with ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) and twenty-five randomly selected lines of an M3 generation EMS population were evaluated for fatty acid composition. Increased variation in fatty acid composition was observed when compared with the control, wildtype cultivar. Most importantly, lines demonstrated putative decreases in relative linolenic acid content, a desirable outcome for biodiesel quality. To select the best variety of C. sativa for local production, an analysis of oil content, germination rate, 1000 seed weight was performed among different varieties and significant differences in seed quality was observed. Transcriptome analysis of C. sativa was performed using 454 pyrosequencing to characterize expressed genes in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and developing seeds of mature plants subjected to drought, cold and high salinity stress Some contig assemblies corresponding to stress-inducible gene and genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis were observed in this study.

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's Degree

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Acharjee, Tapas C.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cushman, John C.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Harper, Jeff
• Miller, Glenn C.

• 454 pyrosequencing
• abiotic stress
• Agronomic performance and seed quality
• Camelina sativa
• EMS mutagenesis
• fatty acid synthesis

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright(All Rights Reserved)

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11714/3881

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarwolf.unr.edu:11714/3881