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Dr Clive Francis
Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA)
University of Western Australia
Nedlands, WA 6907
Telephone: 08 9380 1878
Email: cfrancis@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Origins and traditional uses
Ethiopia is the centre of origin of some unique oilseeds and has a rich diversity of legumes and cereals. Some of which have remained largely unknown to the rest of the world.
CLIMA has collaborative linkages with the Biodiversity Institute in Addis Ababa and has undertaken two plant collection tours in the country.
Two oilseeds, Noog (Guizotia abyssinica) and Crambe (Crambe abyssinica) are widely cultivated in Ethiopia. Noog is also grown in India and Nepal under the synonymous name of Niger. It is of particular value as a high quality edible oil and has a unique flavour.
The staple diet of Ethiopians is a fermented dough (or Injera) which accompanies all meals. It is made from the flour of a grass species called Tef (Eragrostis tef) which is grown often in rotation with Noog.
Ethiopia is also a source of potentially useful Lupinus albus which is cultivated by farmers in the Lake Tana region in the north of the country - the source of the Blue Nile. These lupins, though bitter, are non-shattering and high yielding and most importantly are a source of resistance to lupin anthracnose disease which currently prevents the cultivation of white lupin in Western Australia.
Morama (Tylosema esculentum) is a perennial, prostrate vine-like plant adapted to the Kalahari desert region in Botswana and Namibia. It is a high protein legume and both the seeds and the tubers are eaten.
Additional species such as Camelina (Camelina sativa) and Stock (Matthiola incana; both Brassicaceae) are also being evaluated. Camelina originated in the Mediterranean to Central Asia and was grown as a source of industrial oil after the industrial revolution. Scattered plantings have occurred more recently in America and Europe but the crop's potential remains largely unexplored.
Stock is best known as a garden plant, which are hybrids selected for flower colour. The wild types of interest to CLIMA have purple flowers.
Oil qualities
These alternative oilseed species have a range of qualities and characteristics. Noog oil sells for a premium over other food oils in Ethiopia due to its preferred taste. Its fatty acid profile is comparable to sunflower.
Camelina has similar linoleic levels to Canola but has far less oleic and more linolenic fatty acids, when compared with Canola.
Stock is unique in that about 65% of its total fatty acids are omega-3-linolenic acid, which is reported to confer a low incidence of arteriosclerosis and heart disease in humans as is the case in ethnic diets containing fish oils.
Agronomic potential
Noog yields in Ethiopia and India are reported to range from 200-1200 kg/ha. Plants are susceptible to cool winter temperatures and are therefore likely to be adapted to mild winters in sub-tropical regions of Australia.
Crambe grows well in the winter conditions of Perth and is expected to grow well in the wheat belt. Camelina and Stock in preliminary observations also appear to be suited to cool winters.
Further research
There is good genetic diversity available, especially for Noog, Camelina, Crambe and Tef and improvements in both agronomic and quality characters appear possible. The crops described are currently being assessed as part of a project funded by the RIRDC.
For further information, contact the author, or:
Dr Jon Clements
CLIMA
Telephone: 08 9380 1342
Email: clem@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Margaret Campbell
Plant Sciences
University of Western Australia
Telephone: 08 9380 7354
Email: mcc@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
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Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email:
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