OIL CONTENT OF SOME SPECIES OF ALTERNATIV E OIL PLANTS

In this work, the results of oil content analysis and experiences with planting of selected alternative oil plants from two localities - Cze ch University of Agriculture (1991, 1992, 1993) and Tabor (1992, 1993) - are included. Calendula officinalis contains in achenes 19.9% of oi l, the heads come out gradually; the fruits are shaped variably, they mature unequably. Mature achenes fall out easily what makes their harv est difficult. Camelina sativa reached 31.2% of oil (in literature up to 42%), it is agrotechnically undemanding, with good resistance again st harmful agents. The harvest passes without difficulties. It is very suitable for expanding into field condition. Carthamus tinctorius con tains 21.7% of oil in achenes. It is very suitable for human nutrition as it contains a big amount of linolic acid. Processing of the seeds by pressing is complicated by necessity of dehulling of the achenes be fore the pressing. Crambe abyssinica reaches the oil content of fruits with pericarp 29.2%. The oil contains the highest percentage of eruci c acid among all known oleaginous plants (55 to 62%). Short period of vegetation (80 to 90 days), site modesty and resistance to drought are some of the advantages of this plant. Tithymalus lathyris has the mos t oleaginous seeds of all the studied species (49.2% on average). In o ur experiment, when plant was of a very good growth, the collection of seeds brought about some problems due to unevenly maturing capsules. Lallemantia iberica has the oil content 26.4% on average, the oil is r ich in alpha-linolenic (50 to 60%) and linolic (22 to 36%) acids. This plant has a short period of vegetation, fruits (mericarps) fall out v ery easily, what is a disadvantage. Linum usitatissimum contains in it s seeds 34 to 48% of oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially a lpha-linolenic acid (40 to 68%). In our experiments the cultivar Antar es contained 34.4% of oil. The oily form of Linum is very suitable for dry sites. Lupinus mutabilis has the oil content of 15 to 23% (Schust er, 1992), in our experiments it was only 11.6%. The oil has a high de al of oily acid (30 to 60%) and alpha-linolenic acid (20 to 48%). One of the positive characters of this plant is tolerance to drought, high temperatures and production of great amount of green matter. Silybum marianum has achenes with 25 to 35% of oil with high percentage of alp ha-linolenic (55 to 72%) and oily (15 to 26%) acids and 8 to 12% of Sa turated fatty acids. In our experiment we obtained only 24.5% oil. The oil was of a very good quality and similar to that of safflower. The only difficulty is early falling of mature achenes. Amaranthus cruentu s has seeds with a very good nutritional value acid 5 to 10% of oil. I n our experiments 6.8% oil was obtained. Disadvantage is ungradual mat uring of fruits and seeds, so that the period of harvest is very long and late - matured plants have to be removed and dried gradually. For the introduction of new alternative oil - plants, it is necessary, bes ide solving the agronomical imperfection, market's study, ensuring the ir fast processing in food industry, innovation of technical equipment , and co-operation with other industrial branches in which natural raw -materials could be fully utilized (Tayler, 1989).