Borage Production for Oil and Gamma-Linolenic Acid
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Borage production for oil and gamma-linolenic acid A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by Rowland Laurence February 2004 RIRDC Publication No 04/040 RIRDC Project No UT-33A © 2003 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 0642 58750 7 ISSN 1440-6845 Borage production for oil and gamma-linolenic acid Publication No. 04/040 Project No. UT-33A The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Dr Rowland Laurence Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research PO Box 447/3523 Burnie Tasmania 7320 Phone:03 6430 4901 Fax: 03 6430 4959 Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4539 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected]. Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in February 2004 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint ii Foreword Borage oil contains a high level of gamma-linolenic acid, a human dietary supplement, for which there is strengthening international market demand. Borage is being grown increasingly for this extract, in comparison to the more traditional source, evening primrose. There is no significant commercial production of borage in Australia at present but commercial yields of seed elsewhere, in New Zealand, Canada and in the UK, where about half of world production occurs, are low due to the lack of improved commercial varieties and production practices. This project has sought to investigate and recommend agronomic practices for borage when grown under local climatic conditions in order that future yields and profitability in Australia may allow supportive growers and processors to gain a competitive advantage in an expanding world market. This report provides information and recommendations on sowing time, plant population and harvest timing, which will be critically important facets of any future commercial borage production. Consideration is given also to other production practices. This project was funded in major part from RIRDC Core Funds, which are provided by the Australian Government. The project was also funded in minor part by financial and in-kind contribution from the Natural Plant Extracts Coop. Soc. Ltd in Tasmania. This report, a new addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1000 research publications, forms part of its Emerging New Industries (Essential Oils and Plant Extracts) R&D program, which aims to support the growth of a profitable and sustainable essential oils and natural plant extracts industry in Australia. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/Index.htm • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop Simon Hearn Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Acknowledgements The author gratefully acknowledges the following support: 1. The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation for financial support. 2. Craig Palmer, Patricia Saunders, and Leon Hingston for technical support. 3. The Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research for additional administrative and financial support and physical resources. 4. Mr Bernard Brain, Dr Chris Read and Mr Rob Marshall, of NPE, for advice and encouragement as an industry reference group. 5. Mr Rob Henry, also of NPE, for land and facilities to conduct fieldwork. 6. Mr Lyndon Butler and other staff of the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, for help with field operations at Forthside Research and Demonstration Station. 7. The Tasmanian-based plant extracts company, Botanical Resources Australia, for discussion and assistance with commercial windrowing operations and the provision of windrowing machinery. 8. Dr Peter Lapinskas, consultant, for helpful discussion. About the author Dr Rowland Laurence, currently leads the Vegetable Research Group of the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR), having previously managed the Tasmanian Government’s research and extension effort on vegetables and field crops. TIAR is a joint venture between the University of Tasmania’s School of Agricultural Science and the Tasmanian Government’s Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment. Having worked on the agronomy and nutrition of a range of tropical and temperate horticultural crops, Dr Laurence now leads research projects in the areas of new crops, horticultural agronomy and sustainable farming systems. iv Abbreviations BRA Botanical Resources Australia FSANZ Food Standards Australia New Zealand GLA Gamma-linolenic acid NPE Natural Plant Extracts Cooperative Society Ltd. PUFA Polyunsaturated fatty acid TIAR Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research v Contents Foreword........................................................................................................................................iii Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................iv About the author ...........................................................................................................................iv Abbreviations..................................................................................................................................v Contents .........................................................................................................................................vi List of Tables ................................................................................................................................vii Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................viii Introduction....................................................................................................................................1 Background and literature review ................................................................................................1 Borage investigations in Australia ...............................................................................................2 Industry and research collaboration .............................................................................................3 Objectives and approach of the project .......................................................................................4 Objectives.....................................................................................................................................4 Approach......................................................................................................................................4 Timing of sowing and harvest studies ..........................................................................................6 1999-2000 ....................................................................................................................................6 2000-2001 ....................................................................................................................................7 2001-2002 ....................................................................................................................................8 Sowing rate and spacing ..............................................................................................................10 2000-2001 ..................................................................................................................................10 2001-2002 ..................................................................................................................................11 2002-2003 ..................................................................................................................................13 Observations on weed control.....................................................................................................15 Conclusions, implications and ongoing work ............................................................................16 Conclusions................................................................................................................................16 Implications and ongoing work..................................................................................................17 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................18 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................19 Appendices....................................................................................................................................21 Appendix A. - Note to NPE on progress, for NPE meeting, July 2002....................................22