Evaluation of new Lesquerella and Physaria (Brassicaceae) oilseed germplasm

The seed oil of Lesquerella and the closely related genus Physaria (Brassicaceae) is rich in hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs). HFAs and their derivatives are used to produce a variety of industrial products including lubricants, nylon-11, plastics, drying agents, protective coatings, surfactants, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Lesquerella fendleri is being developed as a new crop for arid regions of the southwestern United States as an alternative source of HFAs. Between 1995 and 2001, 66 accessions from 28 species of Lesquerella were collected in the United States, 33 accessions from four species were collected in Mexico, and 41 accessions from 15 species of Physaria were collected from the southwestern United States. Mean seed mass ranged from 0.54 to 2.30 mg for Lesquerella compared to 1.70 to 5.80 mg for Physaria. Seed oil content ranged from a high of 32.2% in Lesquerella to a high of 35.4% in Physaria. The fatty acid profile of all species of Physaria and most of the lesquerolic-acid-rich species of Lesquerella contained from 30 to 55% lesquerolic acid, although several species contained >60%. These collections of wild germplasm provide a diverse gene pool that should enhance our breeding program in developing a domestic source of HFAs.