PENNYCRESS
Other Common Names Include:
Field pennycress, Frenchweed, fanweed, stinkweed
Latin Name: Thlaspi arvense L
Plant Family: Brassicaceae
Close Relatives: Canola, camelina, mustard
Uses and Markets: Bioenergy, biodiesel can be made from the seed oil; agricultural, seed meal has potential as an organic fertilizer and soil fumigant.
Production Life Cycle in Ontario
Annual (winter and summer).
Hardiness Zone
N/A
Special Notes
None
Propagation method
Seed
Greenhouse Seeding/Propagation Dates
N/A
Field Seeding Date:
Early fall or early spring. Seed at 2-3 kg/ha at a depth of 1 cm.
Field Transplanting Dates
N/A
In-Row Spacing
N/A
Between row spacing
7.5 cm
Optimal Soil temperature at planting
Will not germinate below 10˚C
Fertility
No current Ontario fertility recommendations exist. Research and recommendations from outside Ontario do not necessarily apply to Ontario growing conditions. Research from the U.S. indicates 50kg/ha N, split between fall and spring application, to be sufficient for good seed yield from winter annual pennycress. Click here for phosphorus and potassium application guidelines and for more information on specialty crop fertility.
Soil type
All soil types.
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline soils.
Special requirements for growth habit
Seeding with a drill will establish more consistent plant stands compared to broadcast seeding. Planting in September may allow for a spring harvest prior to soybean planting dates.
Optimal Temperature Range
Temperate climate.
Temperature sensitivity
Flowering is negatively affected by high temperatures.
Irrigation requirements
Irrigation usually not required.
Days to harvest
70-80
Specialized equipment
None
Harvest
Harvest Scheduling
Single harvest
Hand harvest or machine harvest
Machine harvest
Quality parameters/grades:
No established grades.
Additional Harvest Notes
None
Post harvest
Special handling/curing
Oil is mechanically extracted from the seed for further use.
Storage Conditions
Relative humidity (RH): N/A
Temperature: N/A
Air Exchange: N/A
Duration: N/A
Specific pests observed on this crop in Ontario (observations based on limited experience with this crop)
None identified in Ontario to date.
Other Potential Pests: The following pests have not been observed on this crop in Ontario. However, they are either significant concerns for closely related plants in Ontario, or are reported on this crop in other production areas. This is not a comprehensive list of all potential pests. Not all of these pests will necessarily survive Ontario’s climate, but could potentially survive in a protected environment (e.g. greenhouse, storage facility).
Insects and Invertebrates: Flea beetles
Diseases:
Other:
*Indicates pests commonly mentioned as causing significant damage or economic loss to this crop in other regions.
Comments
To date the following pests have been the most significant in Ontario: n/a – limited production in Ontario to date. Pests of other Brassica crops in Ontario may affect pennycress. For more information on pests of Brassica crops, refer to the Brassica module of Ontario CropIPM on the OMAFRA website. This crop is not in a crop group. For more information on Crop Groups, refer to the Pest section. Always refer to product labels, and follow all directions specified on the label, before applying any pest control product. For more information, consult an OMAFRA specialist.
This plant is also considered to be a weedy species in Ontario.
None
- Bond, W. and D.R. Turner. 2007. The biology and non-chemical control of field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.).
- Moser, B.R., G. Knothe, S.F. Vaughn and T.A. Isbell. 2009. Production and evaluation of biodiesel from field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) oil. Energy and Fuels. 23:4149-4155
- Pennycress Resource Network. University of Western Illinois.
- S.F. Vaughn, T.A. Isbell, D. Weisleder and M.A. Berhow. 2005. Biofumigant compounds released by field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) seedmeal. J. Chem. Ecol. 31(1):167-177.
