Researchers from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are unlocking the potential of Carinata (Brassica carinata), also known as Ethiopian Mustard, to power the future of the global aviation industry.
A relative of canola family, Carinata, is emerging as a promising crop for sustainable aviation fuel and biodiesel, thanks to pioneering research supported by NSW DPIRD and its national and international partners, ARC Training Centre for Future Crops, Australian National University and Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
NSW DPRID Senior Principal Research Scientist, Dr Harsh Raman said this research is focussed on improving the agronomic performace, productivity and oil properties attributes of carinata and canola, which could significantly advance the development of sustainable aviation fuel.
“Carinata offers a unique opportunity to reduce reliance on fossil fuels while enhancing the resilience of Australian agriculture to international demands for food and fuel,” said Dr Raman.
“Carinata is a naturally occurring hybrid between black mustard (nigra) and cabbage, and it will prove to be a game-changer in our efforts to develop net-zero emission fuel sources.
“Carinata oil possesses key characteristics such as high erucic acid content that make it ideal for use in jet engines, and scientists are now enhancing its performance to meet the growing global demand for cleaner, renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.”
Since 2015, NSW DPIRD has been trialling carinata in NSW, identifying ideal plant types and uncovering valuable traits for genetic improvement of carinata and canola.
Under the ARC Training Centre for Future Crops two PhD students Ms Reshma Roy and Ms Ebtihal Alsadig Ahmed Mohamed are investigating the genetic bases of flowering time, maturity and oil composition using advanced genetic mapping and genetic editing tools.
Beyond fuel, carinata is also contributing to crop resilience. It also carries genes for resistance to pod shatter and blackleg, two traits highly sought after by canola breeders and growers.
Dr Raman said in Ethiopia, carinata hasalso been used as a leafy vegetable, but in Australia, it’s being harnessed to improve canola through hybridisation with Brassica rapa and Brassica napus for resilience to environmental and soil constraints and reducing yield losses due to pod shattering.
“With help from international partners including Huazhong Agricultural University and Punjab Agricultural University, India and accessing previous support from Grains Research and Development (GRDC), we’ve developed synthetic lines combining carinata with other Brassica species using traditional and genetic modification approaches,” Dr Raman said.
“These lines are now being tested for high yield and other agronomic traits that will benefit Australian growers and global sustainability goals.
“As the aviation industry seeks low-carbon alternatives, carinata is poised to play a vital role in the transition to renewable fuels, offering a homegrown solution to global emissions challenges.”
This research was supported by the NSW DPIRD and Australian Research Council Training Centre for Accelerated Future Crops Development IC210100047 and funded by the Australian Government.
