Proceedings of the XLVII Italian Society of Agricultural Genetics - SIGA Annual Congress

Verona, Italy - 24/27 September, 2003

ISBN 88-900622-4-X

Poster Abstract - 3.15

HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER VARIETIES FOR BIODIESEL: A NEW PERSPECTIVE FOR SUNFLOWER CROP

M. BALDINI, M. VISCHI, N. DI BERNARDO, M. TURI, GP. VANNOZZI, A.M. OLIVIERI

Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale e Tecnologia Agrarie, Università di Udine, via delle Scienze 208, 33100, Udine

sunflower, biodiesel, high oleic, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

The interest in many oil seed species as diesel fuel substitutes (Biodiesel) is increasing and various oil containing crops are grown for this purpose. The process of obtaining biodisel is very easy, involving a reaction of a vegetable oil with ethanol or methanol, in the presence of a catalyst to produce an ester (biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable coproduct). Biodiesel can substitute for petroleum diesel fuel in most diesel engines with none or only minor modifications. It is biodegradable, renewable and nontoxic, with a reduced level of pollutants and safer than the diesel with a higher melting point (118 and 54 °C, respectively). Moreover no appreciable differences between biodiesel and diesel in engine durability or in carbon deposit have been demonstrated. Biodiesl production and commercial use in EU has expanded with some exemptions for biodiesl from excise taxes in many EU countries (Italy included) with a plan to develop a 5% market share for biodiesel by the year 2005. The commercial success of such fuels depends on their oil physical and chemical characteristics. Sunflower is one of the leading oilseed crops for the oil production for human consumption, but it has also been considered as an important crop for biodiesel production, particularly in southern European countries. In particular high oleic sunflower oil, because of low suscepibilty to oxidative changes during refining, storage and frying has not only a great value for human nutrition but it could be also an excellent renewable raw materials for industrial utilization, as lubricants for engine and particularly as biofuel (biodiesel). In fact the oil fatty acid profile with the degree of saturation influence two of the most important parameters for biodiesel: Cold-Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) related to the low temperature behavior and the iodine number, affecting the tendency of oxidation and polymerization of the oil. Therefore, new sunflower genotypes with a high oleic acid content in combination with reduced levels of linolenic acid are highly desirable. Since some years Udine University is involved in researches with the aim of obtaining new high oleic sunflower varieties, using the mutant gene for high oleic content present in Pervenet variety. Up to present two new varieties, named Friuli and Carnia, were registred in the Italian Register. These varieties were tested for agronomic traits and oil quality in 4 locations during summer 2002 and the performances were very satisfactory. New varieties are also under field trials for inscription in the Register. In the mean time we are carring out a molecular analysis to find out SSR markers associated to Slerotinia sclerotiorum resistance and to develop a MAS approach to introduce resistance in high oleic sunflower lines, as S. sclerotiorum is one of the most dangerous and complicated crop pathogens to control.