High altitude farmers around the world have a limited set of crops that are adapted to the short growing season and cold temperatures prevalent at high altitudes. Despite the suitability of oilseed crops for high altitude agriculture, little research has been published on the adaptability of various species to particular altitudes in Colorado. Research on adaptability of oilseed crops in Afghanistan is lacking, although Afghanistan has altitudes and environmental conditions similar to those in Colorado, suggesting that oilseed crops suited to Colorado might also be suited to Afghanistan. This study reviewed the literature on nine oilseed species (flax, camelina, sunflower, safflower, sesame, cuphea, canola, Indian mustard, and Ethiopian mustard), agricultural technology transfer, and oil composition. Adaptability estimates were developed for nine oilseed species at eight Colorado locations. These estimates were based on long-term cumulative temperature data at each location in combination with the required cumulative growing degree day (GDD) requirement for each species and species field trials at six locations in 2010. Eight varieties of flax were planted in field trials at six in 2011 and evaluated for yield, oil content, fatty acid composition, and yield components. Seventeen varieties of camelina were planted in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2011 and evaluated for yield.;Literature was reviewed for each of nine oilseed species. The reviewed topics included introduction and crop history; general description; climate, adaptation and soil; cultural practices, including seedbed preparation, planting date, seeding rate, seeding depth, and fertilizer application; weed control and herbicide; disease and pest management; and harvest. The review of technology transfer included a historical perspective, concepts and definitions, components of technology transfer, and phases of the process. The oil content and oil profile of each of nine oilseed species were reviewed, with particular attention to the content of alpha-linolenic fatty acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that has purported human health benefits.;Successful transfer of agricultural technology for crops depends on matching the adaptability of the crops to the climatic conditions in the target location. This study developed adaptability estimates for nine oilseed species at eight Colorado locations. Because Afghanistan has high altitude areas similar to those in Colorado, high altitude research done in Colorado may be applicable to Afghanistan.;The base temperature and cumulative GDD requirement for each species were extracted from the literature. Long-term weather data was compiled for each location and the cumulative GDD at each location for each crop was calculated. Adaptability trials of nine species were conducted in six locations in 2010 and species were evaluated for maturity. Only camelina was predicted to reach maturity at the highest altitude (7702 feet) (2348 meters), although canola, juncea, and carinata also reached maturity because 2010 was a warm year. All species except cuphea and sesame were predicted to mature at the lowest altitude (5110 feet) (1558 meters), although cuphea also reached maturity because 2010 was a warm year.;Eight varieties of flax were planted in field trials at Fort Collins, Iliff, and Craig, Colorado, in 2011. Yield, seed weight, seeds per capsule, capsules per plant, capsules per acre, oil content, linolenic acid content, and oleic acid content were measured. Flax yield was highly positively correlated to the number of seeds per capsules and capsules per plant, but was negatively correlated to number of capsules per acre. No significant differences for yield were found among varieties in this study. There was a significant location effect on flax oil content and linolenic acid content. Both increased with increasing altitude. This supports previous research suggesting that high altitude increases both oil content and linolenic acid content in flax. The biosynthesis of linolenic acid appeared to be favored over other fatty acids in flax. Oil content was positively correlated with linolenic acid content, while linolenic acid content was negatively correlated with oleic acid content. There was no significant correlation between oil content and seed yield.;Based on these results, growers planting flax at higher altitudes can expect higher oil content and higher linolenic acid content in flaxseed. Flax varieties should be tested locally to screen and select for high seed yield, high oil content, and high linolenic acid content. Flax breeders should breed for flax cultivars that contain high seed weight, high number of seeds per capsule, and high number of capsules per plant.;A camelina variety trial was conducted in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2011. No significant yield differences were found among seventeen varieties. The average yield in Kabul was 975 pounds per acre (1111.5 kg per hectare). The average yield for camelina in a 2011 trial at Fort Collins, Colorado, was 953 pounds per acre (1086 .4 kg per hectare).;Flax and camelina appear to be adapted to high altitude areas in both Colorado and Afghanistan. Studies similar to this can provide valuable information to make decisions about transferring agricultural technologies to areas with climate, terrain, and geography similar to those of Colorado. Successful transfer of agricultural technology, especially for crops, depends on conducting crop adaptability studies prior to investing financial and technical resources.
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