Innovative double cropping systems including camelina [camelina sativa (L.) crantz] a valuable oilseed crop for bio-based applications

Cropping system intensification (i.e. double, mixed or relay cropping) is becoming an actual topic when dealing with non-food crops since it has been identified as a simple and remunerative way to avoid food versus bioenergy debate and consequent indirect land use change (iLUC). Within the European project COSMOS different types of rotation schemes have been tested in order to identify the most suitable for camelina to avoid iLUC and ensure satisfactory productivity. A 4-year trial has been set up in Italy (Bologna) and Greece (Aliartos) testing the feasibility of camelina double cropped with corn (Zea mays L.) in rotation with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). At both locations, the earlier harvest of camelina compared with wheat allowed to successfully double crop corn afterward. While winter wheat resulted significantly more productive in Italy than in Greece (grand mean of all years and rotations), camelina and corn gave higher seed yields in Greece. The positive effect of crop diversification on wheat sole-cropping system resulted significant in Italy, when the double cropping of camelina before winter wheat allowed the latter to reach ~20% higher seed yields. In Italy, camelina despite moderate seed yields (grand mean: ~ 1.4 Mg DM ha-1), it had low input with higher energy value (25.15 vs. 10.94 GJ ha-1) and energy efficiency (3.55 vs. 1.17) than a very productive winter wheat.