One of the main targets of the 4CE-MED (Camelina: a Cash Cover Crop Enhancing water and soil conservation in Mediterranean dry-farming systems) project is to define, optimize, and test under real operational conditions locally tailor-made 4CE-MED solutions to adopt camelina as a low-input cash cover crop, assuring short term economic profit to Mediterranean farmers (WP2). CREA, one of the Italian partners of the project, performed experimental tests in collaboration with UNIBO investigating the possibility to anticipate camelina harvesting, and assessing which strategy is more effective. To meet the goals, in an experimental field, Camelina was harvested by direct combining (DC) in comparison to swathing and combining (SW) and a chemical desiccant strategy (DE). Regarding mechanical harvesting, the literature is lacking information on the most appropriate systems to minimize seed loss and costs and shorten the crop cycle. The advantages and disadvantages of direct combining systems in comparison with mechanical and chemical aids that are claimed to ease the thrashing and, eventually, anticipate crop harvesting were assessed.
Analyzing preliminary results, direct combining outperformed the other methods in terms of seed loss reduction and overall cost. Swathing and combining is an interesting technique to reduce the crop cycle and anticipate the following sowing although, since drying occurs in the field, there is a risk of exposing the product to adverse weather conditions in this period. During the next growing season, further field tests will be carried out to confirm the results.
Photo credit: CREA