In recent years, cultivation of Brassica carinata, Industrial oilseeds that can reach prices on the order of $540/ton, guaranteed. It is used as fuel for airplanes around the world.
In addition to the high price, other advantages of cultivation They contribute to diversifying crop rotations and, thanks to their taproot, improve soil aeration and aim to keep the plot clean for the next crop.
Matthias Aiersa cultivate 3000 hectares of carinata It is grown on leased land in Entre Ríos, from Source de Luna in the north to Guareguaychu in the south. “Sowing begins in April and can last until the beginning of May. It is not recommended to delay it, as carinata is sensitive to frost at the first stage, before reaching the rosette stage about 30 days after emergence,” advises the businessman.
of Early introduction is especially important in lots with lots of stumps. Where low temperatures can cause significant damage. Typically, Aielsa incorporates carinata after the initial corn harvest. Two hybrids will be used: NJ400, which can be planted until April 25th, and NJ350, which can be planted until May 10th. Seed costs $4.50/kg and requires achieving densities of around 3.5 kg/ha for early sowing and 4.5-5 kg/ha for late sowing.
At the time of sowing, fertilizers are basically applied based on phosphorus and sulfur. Once the crop is established, a combination of sulfur and nitrogen can be added to follow good production practices, but do not exceed 80 kg per hectare.
Planting is done with a fine grain machine. Liquid trifluralin, a pre-emergent herbicide, is commonly used to prevent weeds from emerging, and carinata competes well with herbicides because it quickly covers furrow spaces. You may need to apply haloxyfop for grass escape.
The most dangerous insect to crops is Quercus xylostella (Cabbage bug) Since it eats the new shoots in rosettes, it is necessary to spray with anthranildiramide insecticide. In very wet years, it may be necessary to apply an epiconazole-based fungicide to combat foma.
in The Entre Ríos carinata cycle is similar to the wheat cycle. At harvest, Aielsa has received a yield of 18 quintals per hectare in recent years. This yield has to be multiplied by the price, which can reach $540 per tonne in relation to the Matif price (French rapeseed market).
Since the seeds are larger than rapeseed, harvesting is not a big problem. However, you need to check the tightness of the truck to avoid losses due to cracks in the box. The ripening is generally uniform and no major dehiscence is observed, so you can wait for threshing. You only need to use a desiccant in some cases.
Harvesting is done directly and delivery conditions require a moisture content of 9% as a basis and a maximum tolerance of 14%. Ayerza points out that machines with Draper heads have an advantage over other machines by delivering material to the feeder more evenly.
Marketing is being done through Nuseed, which maintains a contract with another company to export grain from the port of San Pedro without crushing it in Argentina. Nused buys all the production, and at its destination the grain is industrialized to produce jet fuel. After harvesting, the next crop may face the challenge of thick, upright stems, and you may need to use a diamond harrow to turn over the standing dry stems or place wire in front of the planting body of the next crop.
According to Aelza, The benefits of carinata are multiple. First, it allows new crops to be incorporated into the rotation, providing significant income in December, which, when combined with income from secondary soybeans, provides a very positive economic impact. It also allows for the intensification of agricultural systems, since it does not replace wheat, but takes a separate place, for example, a few days after the initial harvest of maize, contributing to diversification of the risks faced by producers.
Another advantage is that in very rainy areas like Entre Rios, wheat can be easily attacked. fusarium, Pathogens that do not affect Carinata. Similarly, it has several waves of flowering and silique formation and can recover after several days of exposure to extreme temperatures, reducing the risk of late frosts that can harm wheat.
in Obispo Colombres Test Site in Tucuman They have been working with Carinata for several years. A recent report states: “Carinata is a winter crop and its seeds are not genetically modified. It produces a grain containing approximately 48% oil, which can be converted into aviation fuel.” Requires soil that is fertile, well-drained, and well-supplied with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Similarly, rape, At the station they observed the following Carinata has an active root system that can explore the deepest water table of the soil. It also warns, “They are susceptible to frost from germination to the rosette stage 30 days after emergence.After that, they acquire tolerance to low temperatures.”
At maturity, the plant reaches a height of 1.20-1.70 meters, depending on the climatic conditions and soil fertility of the year. The flowers are yellow, and the fruit is a silique (a type of pod) that is more difficult to break than rapeseed. The seeds are light brown and larger than rapeseed, with 1,000 seeds weighing 5 to 6 grams.
Generally, Marketing is done on a contractual basis. Harvest prices are determined with reference to the French rapeseed market, and bonuses are added for efforts to reduce environmental impact, such as the moderate use of nitrogen fertilizers and the application of organic fertilizers (such as chicken litter).
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