b"Carinata is a high-residue biomass crop, Seepaul says.carryover herbicides, particularly Cadre herbicide, which is often It can produce up to 9,000 pounds of biomass per acre, andcrucial for a successful peanut crop.since only the seed is harvested (about 2,000 pounds per acre),Resistance to Cadre would be a game changer, so that's a around 7,000 pounds of biomass is returned to soil. Its also apriority for breeding research right now, and as we head in that nutrient scavenger, so its able to remove more nutrients thandirection, I believe well see carinata rise to the top of being a we've applied without depleting soil health. staple, Broughton says. In addition, root nematodes are one of the areas biggest concerns, resulting in high levels of investment for chemicals andManaging a Monopolyfumigants. Broughton says using a brassica breaks that cycle. Nuseed was first to hybridize carinata, allowing for rapid genetic While growers have access to best practices for success withadvancement after acquiring Canadian-based Agrisoma carinata, Collier realizes there are still challenges to successfullycarinata assets in 2019. The 2023 crop is Nuseeds second producing the crop.season commercially growing carinata in the United States. Growers need to manage planting and harvesting of physi- Production is under contract using sustainable farming prac-cally small seeds and manage broadleaf weeds within a broad- tices certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials. leaf crop, he says, adding that if growers are used to plantingThe International Civil Aviation Organization modeling approach small crops, carinata is even smaller. Its different than the waydetermined those practices can improve greenhouse gas sav-we normally seed and sometimes we recommend using a cul- ings by up to 80%. Globally, Nuseed Carinata is in the fifth year tipacker or roller to firm up the seed bed, Broughton says. It'sof commercial production in Argentina with additional produc-just very tricky because it can get too deep. Its almost better totion in Uruguay. Nuseed harvested more than 35,000 hectares have it laying on the surface.in South America in 2022 and Collier says they are also working to begin commercial production in Brazil in 2024, with additional Improving Varieties plans for Europe and Australia. Perhaps the biggest challenge with carinata is fitting it into existing crop rotations. Future FocusWere having to squeeze in peanuts at the end of theirDespite research partners in seven states and a decade of season and carinata also definitely overlaps with corn. More culti- research into the crop, the United States is still in the early vars give us more flexibilities, Broughton says. stages of its carinata journey. Currently, carinata fits well with cotton and soybeans, butIn general, there is a significant lack of awareness about breeders are working to shorten the growing season.carinata as a crop; it largely remains relatively unknown in the The crop cycle is generally 180 days, but we are screeningregion, Seepaul says, noting seed suppliers will have to work for varieties that would be 160 to 165 days, Seepaul says. If wediligently with growers to sell the value of the crop. With focused can harvest that much earlier, we can fit the subsequent crop insupport, carinata could find a place as a new and value option without any delay. in U.S. crop fields. To that end, the Southeast Partnership for Carinata doesnt follow peanuts well due to its sensitivity toAdvanced Renewables from Carinata is a collaborative effort between regional land grant universities, industry partners and other institutions that aim to support commercial carinata produc-What the world needs is tion as a viable winter crop in the Southeast United States. Nuseeds parent company, Seed Certification Nufarm, reported the 2022-23 U.S. carinata and Sunshine season included more than 6,000 commercial acres.On the agricultural front, optimizing cari-nata cultivation practices, scaling production, and fostering widespread adoption of winter carinata production are vital, Seepaul says. The technology development and aviation Presented to Hanna Hudson, sectors must invest in research and technol-Operations Managerfor forty-fourogy for more efficient sustainable aviation years of dedication to seed throughfuel production while working to establish the service and leadership. necessary infrastructure.Seepaul says these collaborative efforts will On behalf of Illinois Crop Improvementalso require adequate policy and incentives.and Illinois Seed Trade Association SWThank you56/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2023"