2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Ginger (lat. Camelina) - oilseeds; a genus of herbaceous plants of the Cabbage family. Natural range - Central Asia, Central Europe and the Mediterranean. In Russia, there are three species - Flaxseed mushroom (Latin Camelina alyssum), Small-fruited mushroom (Latin Camelina microcarpa) and Sowing mushroom (Latin Camelina sativa). The latter species is grown to obtain camelina oil. The rest are considered malicious weeds that grow on fields and roadsides.
Characteristics of culture
Gingerbread is an annual plant with heart-shaped sessile leaves. The flowers are golden yellow or yellow, collected in racemose inflorescences. The fruit is a swollen pear-shaped pod, equipped with flat-extreme valves. The seeds are small and contain oil.
The most widespread species in Russia - Sowing mushroom, is a plant with a growing season of 65-90 days. It is a fast growing oilseed crop. Stem up to 80 cm high, basal leaves are petiolate, green, stem leaves are lanceolate, sessile. The flowers are pale yellow, collected in a brush. Seeds are oval-elongated, red-yellow in color. The oil obtained from the seeds of the common mushroom is rich in essential fatty acids, in particular, linoleic and linolenic.
Growing conditions
Ryzhik is an early-maturing crop characterized by increased cold-resistant properties. Seeds germinate at 1C. The optimum temperature for normal growth and development is 10-12C. Adult plants are able to withstand short-term frosts down to -12C. Camelina is undemanding to soil conditions, but it gives the best yields on light, moist, fertile soils. Does not tolerate heavy clay, acidic and saline soils. The best predecessors are cereals. The plant is resistant to diseases and pests, compared to other members of the Cabbage family.
The subtleties of cultivation and care
The area for camelina is prepared in the fall: the soil is dug to a depth of 20-22 cm, freed from weeds, leveled and applied rotted organic matter and mineral fertilizers. Sowing is carried out in the spring in an ordinary way. It is undesirable to be late with the sowing dates, this will negatively affect the quality and quantity of the future harvest. The distance between the rows should be about 15 cm. The seeding depth is 2-3 cm.
The main tasks for the care of the crop are aimed at killing weeds, regularly moistening and applying mineral and organic fertilizers. Loosening of the aisles is also mandatory. Drying and compaction of the soil must not be allowed. Plants have a negative attitude to waterlogging. For top dressing, it is recommended to use phosphorus and potash fertilizers.
The use of camelina oil
Camelina oil is a valuable and healthy product. In terms of nutritional value, it is similar to sesame oil. Differs in a spicy taste. It is used in cooking for dressing salads and boiled vegetables, as well as for preparing dishes from cereals, sauces, watering and various pastries. The oil is suitable for frying meat and fish products, it is resistant to heat and practically does not lose its taste characteristics, but at elevated temperatures vitamins and other useful substances are destroyed in it.
Camelina oil is also used in folk medicine. It is useful for stomach ulcers and inflammatory diseases of the visual organs. Oil is an excellent helper in the treatment of wounds and burns. Camelina oil is a part of many medicines, cosmetics and perfumery products. Often, oil is used in the production of paints, drying oils and alkyd resins.
