Proceedings - Biomass South 2008
Dr. Harbans Bhardwaj, Virginia State University
Dr. Harbans Bhardwaj is Professor of Agronomy at Virginia State University's Agricultural Research Station. He received his Ph. D. from University of Georgia, in Agronomy - Plant Breeding. Has been previously employed at University of Georgia, University of Tennessee, Fort Valley State University. Dr. Bhardwaj is involved in development of new food, feed, and industrial use crops. He has fifteen years of research experience with canola production and breeding. Recently, he initiated a canola-biodiesel research and extension project at Virginia State University.
Canola - Biodiesel
Details about canola and its' production system, and use of canola oil for biodiesel production will be presented and discussed. The emphasis will be on utilization of locally produced canola to provide oil for biodiesel production using small-scale technology. Details about a field day, where canola production, harvesting, crushing of seed to get oil for use as a feedstock for biodiesel production were demonstrated, will also be presented.
Notes:
- Two species: Brassica naps and birapu
- NC use winter varieties
- Industrial rapeseed was not edible, canola-edible
- Planting time – mid-Sept to Oct
- Virginia grown canola was comparable in fatty acids and oil production to that grown in Canada
- High yielding, locally adapted varieties to Virginia should work in NC
- Canola could replace winter wheat
- pace ~7 –in, wheat combines work for harvesting
- Canola meal is nutritious
- Low saturated fat improves winter quality of biodiesel
- Jatropha – perennial, drought resistant – tropical plant
Thanks to Sarah Ashton, Rachel Cook, Lindsey Hannum, James Jeuck, Liwei Lin, James McCarter, Susan McIntyre, and Mark Megalos for providing notes and summaries for presentations.
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