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bioweb.sungrant.org » Technical » Biomass Resources » Agricultural Resources » New Crops » Oilseeds » Cuphea

Cuphea	Printer Friendly

The Cuphea genus contains about 250 wild species, mostly native to Mexico and to Central and South America.  C. viscosisima is the only known variety native to the U.S., although four introduced species exist in the wild. Cuphea seeds are about 25% oil. Many of the Cuphea species contain large percentages of medium chain fatty acids (8-14 carbons) such as capric, lauric, caprylic, and myristic acid (70-90%, depending on variety). Lauric acid is currently used in large quantities in the soap and detergent industry, and is obtained from coconut oil and palm kernel oil. A major constraint to the commercial  development of Cuphea has been seed shattering; however, discovery of a natural mutation within some Cuphea hybrids showing significant reduction in seed shattering has enhanced the opportunity to develop this crop. The current available varieties of Cuphea do not self-pollinate, but this trait is found in many Cuphea varieties. Breeding efforts are underway to incorporate self-pollination into Cuphea lines that display other desirable characteristics. Cuphea plants are covered with sticky hairs that may interfere with harvest activities, but the sticky hairs seem to be a defense mechanism against insects.   Cuphea is produced as a summer annual in the U.S. using existing row-crop machinery. It does not tolerate frost, but can still be produced in short season temperate climates as it matures quickly (2-3 weeks to germinate and seed ripening in another 6 weeks). Seed yields in Oregon have ranged from 500 to 1,500 kg/ha (about 450 to 1,350 lbs/ac). Using best management practices, seed yields of up to 1,400 kg/ha (about 1,250 lbs/ac) have been attained in Minnesota. In 2004, 18.6 hectares (46 acres) of Cuphea were planted in Minnesota by 6 farmers - some of the crop was lost due to severe weather and herbicide drift from other crops. Yields ranging from 78 to 744 kg/ha (70 to 660 lbs/ac) were achieved. Planting in Minnesota occurs in mid-May. Recent trials indicate that planting Cuphea in rotation with corn can help reduce corn rootworm infestations. Expected U.S. production regions for Cuphea are the Midwest and the Northwest. In 2005, 100 acres of Cuphea were grown in the U.S.

References
Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. (2003). Cuphea: those sticky American plants. Ag Innovation News, 12 (3). Gesch, R.W.; Forcella, F.; Sharratt, B.S.; Olness, A.E.; Archer, D.W. (2003). Development of Cuphea as a unique oilseed crop for the U.S. Minnesota Academy of Science. St. Paul, MN. Gesch, R.; Forcella, F.; Olness, A.; Archer, D.; and Hebard, A. (2005). Agricultural management of Cuphea and its potential for commercial production in the northern United States. 2005 Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops International Conference on Industrial Crops and Rural Development. Murcia, Spain, September 17-21, 2005. Knapp, S.J. (1993). Breakthroughs towards the domestication of Cuphea. In New crops (pp. 372-379). J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.), Wiley, New York. Miller, M. (2005, November). Cuphea. [Report No. unknown]. Ag Marketing Resource Center, Iowa State University. Phippen, W.B.; Isbell, T.A.; and Phippen, M.E. (2004). Total seed oil and fatty acid methyl ester content in wild Cuphea accessions. 2004 Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops/ New Uses Council Joint Meeting: Industrial Crops and Uses to Diversity Agriculture. Minneapolis, MN, September 19-22, 2004. Princen, L.H. (1990). New crops research and development: a federal perspective. In Advances in New Crops (pp. 17-20). J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.). Portland, OR: Timber Press. Rosenberg, R.J. (1996). Underexploited temperate industrial and fiber crops. In Progress in New Crops (pp. 60-84). J.Janick (ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASHS Press.