Agricultural production methods of mustard oil crops in Ethiopia

Abstract

The present invention relates to agricultural practices for maximizing carbon sequestration, increasing yields, sustainable farming, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising: planting an Ethiopian mustard variety as a second crop in rotation with a first crop or replacing fallow; implementing land management practices to reduce the use of fossil fuel inputs and maximize the capture of atmospheric carbon through the plant material of the Ethiopian mustard; harvesting the Ethiopian mustard variety to obtain grain; and returning about 70% to about 90% of all plant materials other than grain in the Ethiopian mustard variety to the soil. As a result, total greenhouse gas emissions associated with agriculture are reduced. In some embodiments, the method also includes producing grains, the grains are used to produce plant-based feedstocks, the plant-based feedstocks are used to produce low-carbon intensity fuels; for adding carbon to the soil; and / or obtaining carbon credits.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese application No. 201880071832.9, filed on September 10, 2018, entitled “Agricultural Production Method of Mustard Seed Crops in Ethiopia”.

[0002] Cross - reference to related applications

[0003] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 556,575, filed September 11, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of agriculture and teaches a new method comprising growing a mustard (Brassica carinata) oilseed crop in place of fallow or in place of existing cover crops used in crop rotations, utilizing new agricultural practices that retain the soil benefits of traditional cover crops or fallow rotations but enable the harvest of oil-rich grains that provide a feedstock for the production of low carbon intensity biofuels, accompanied by a substantial reduction in life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon sequestration in the soil. Technical Background

[0005] Excessive reliance on fossil fuels for transportation, electricity generation, home heating, industry, industrial power supply, etc., has resulted in an increasing rate of emission and accumulation of CO2 and GHG in the atmosphere. This has led to threats of global warming and its adverse consequences. One strategy to reduce the rate of increase of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by replacing them with more sustainable fuels, such as vegetable oils and biomass-derived fuels, which have a lower carbon intensity over their life cycle.

[0006] To control greenhouse gas emissions, governments have enacted regulations that attempt to reduce the growth rate of carbon emissions within their jurisdictions to agreed target levels. In order to make these regulations mandatory, mechanisms and methods are developed to accurately audit the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the "well to tank" life cycle of specific fuels. At the same time, measures are also taken to make emitters comply with these targets (carbon taxes, carbon caps and carbon trading systems). The end result of these measures is the establishment of a carbon pricing system, which must be borne by those who emit carbon.

[0007] These policies specifically target industries that produce and rely on fuels and energy, for example. Fuel producers, and by extension biofuel producers, are therefore strongly incentivized to identify feedstocks, fuels, and production processes to comply with the imposed targets and minimize the impact of carbon pricing on their bottom line.

[0008] The need to reduce carbon emissions and strong incentives for industry to achieve carbon reductions within their regions have been important factors in developing new low carbon intensity pathways. However, the pricing of next generation fuels compared to traditional fuels has been a barrier to their large-scale adoption. With the advent of carbon pricing, some of these barriers have been removed, and it follows that increasing the carbon intensity differential between biofuels and traditional fuels can be a factor that can significantly affect the price differential.

[0009] Carbon intensity (CI) is defined as "a measure of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a fuel using a life cycle assessment (LCA). LCA identifies and estimates all GHG emissions from the production of the fuel; from the growth or extraction of raw materials, to the production of the fuel, to the final use of the fuel. Carbon intensity is reported as the mass of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gases emitted per unit of energy contained in the fuel, expressed in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO2e / MJ)" ("Carbon Intensity Determination for Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements Regulations (Information Bulletin RLCF-006)" p. 3, section 2, entitled "What is Carbon Intensity?" published by the Department of Energy and Mines, Government of British Columbia. Published December 2010, revised July 2013). In 2017, the baseline CI values ​​reported for fossil fuels under the EU Renewable Energy Directive (EU-RED) and for biodiesel under the United States Renewable Fuel Standard (US RFS) were 83.8 g CO2e / MJ, respectively. 2eq / MJ energy (EU-RED) and produces 91.8g CO 2eq / MJ energy (US RFS), as described in Table 3 of DeJong et al., 2017. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that CI values ​​for both fossil fuels and biofuels may change as LCA models and production methods evolve. https: / / www.arb.ca.gov / fuels / lcfs / fuelpathways / current-pathways-01102017.xlsx ) to find the current CIs for various biofuel pathways.

[0010] Agricultural production provides a suitable method for producing the next generation of biofuels. Modern agriculture produces food, feed and fiber on a large scale, and can be mobilized to provide raw materials for fuel without developing new production technologies or infrastructure. An attractive feature of agricultural production is its development of plant ability to utilize and fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, so plants serve as important carbon pools. The carbon accumulated in the biomass of annual crops will eventually be transferred, part as harvested material, and the rest as crop residues (leaves, stalks, stems, roots), which will be subject to soil-derived bacteria and fungi degradation. Some soil assimilated carbon is used as energy by soil microorganisms and will eventually become gaseous carbon dioxide by respiration, but some are also stably retained in the soil, which is an important pool for carbon fixation and reduction of atmospheric emissions. Among all carbon environmental pools, the size of the soil pool is second only to the ocean pool, and it is expected to contain more than 2.3GT of organic carbon (Jobbagy and Jackson, 2000), representing more than 4 times the carbon accumulation in the total biomass of plants. Another benefit of restoring carbon to the soil is that the fertility and structure of the soil are subsequently improved.

[0011] However, although annual crops sequester carbon during their life cycle and return a significant portion of the accumulated carbon to the soil for long-term sequestration, their cultivation also results in direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions of CO2 and CO2 equivalents. These emissions occur throughout the cultivation of the crop, the subsequent conversion of the crop into feedstock, the conversion of the feedstock into liquid fuels, the storage and transportation of the feedstock and final fuel, and the ultimate distribution and use of the fuel. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with crop growth include the following stages, seed development, field preparation, preparation and application of crop inputs (fertilizers, pesticides / herbicides / seed treatments), crop sowing, crop maintenance and crop harvesting, storage, storage and transportation of harvested materials to processing plants.

[0012] To consider the flux of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases throughout the life cycle of energy crops from planting, harvesting, and conversion to biofuels, models such as the Greenhouse Gases, Regulatory Emissions, and Energy Use in Transport (GREET) (Wang 1996), GHGenius (S&T Squared. GHGenius, model version 4.03; www.ghgenius.ca ; Canadian Natural Resources S&T Squared Consultants: Delta, British Columbia 2017), based on previously developed models (DeLucchi 1991), BioGrace ( www.biograce.net; Neeft et al., 2012) and other audit methods. These audit methods can more effectively compare the overall impact of the production and use of biofuels and fossil fuels on GHG, and can compare biofuels produced from different types of energy crops. The ability to accurately model and predict GHG emissions throughout the life cycle of biofuel production can assign a value to the production of carbon. Due to carbon pricing, national and international agreements have been reached to achieve carbon / GHG emissions to specified targets. Examples of these policies are the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and the United States' Renewable Energy Standard (RFS) and the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (CA-LCFS).

[0013] Table 1 compares the published carbon intensity (CI) values ​​for selected biofuel pathways and compares them to the carbon intensity values ​​for conventional gasoline and / or biodiesel fuels. As can be seen, the CI values ​​for the FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) biodiesel pathway range from 67.32 to 51.35 g CO 2eq / MJ, compared with the CI of 102.4g CO for traditional diesel 2eq / MJ, demonstrating that the FAME biodiesel pathway provides a significantly lower CI compared to its petroleum-based equivalent. In addition, renewable or green diesel produced by hydroprocessing of rapeseed oil has a CI of 44 g CO 2eq / MJ, the carbon intensity of its overall pathway is further reduced compared with FAME processing.

[0014] Table 1: Carbon intensity of selected biofuel pathways

[0015]

[0016] *https: / / www.arb.ca.gov / fuels / lcfs / fuelpathways / current-pathways-01102017.xlsx

[0017] **http: / / eur-lex.europa.eu / legal-content / EN / ALL / ? uri=CELEX%3A32009L0028

[0018] ***Hydrogenated vegetable oil

[0019] In a study focusing only on GHG emissions from cultivated canola in Canadian prairie lands between 1986 and 2006, the authors (Shrestha et al., 2014) demonstrated that GHG emissions per unit area decreased by 40%, while the dry matter content of grain decreased by 65% ​​during this time interval. The reduction was attributed to a combination of factors, including reduced land use change, increased grain yields, and increased sequestration of soil organic carbon through improved land management. In 2006, soil carbon sequestration in the region averaged about 500 kg CO2 / ha.

[0020] However, there remains a need for dedicated feedstock crops that can be produced at a scale that can meet the demand for high-quality feedstocks for liquid biofuels, such as biodiesel, green diesel, and jet fuel substitutes. Other high-yielding and prolific oilseed crops have been suggested as potential feedstocks, most mature species and varieties, such as canola-type Brassicas or soybeans, which produce edible oils that are costly relative to dedicated biofuel feedstocks and would also reduce the supply of edible oils.

[0021] For example, conversion of canola or canola to large-scale biofuel production would almost certainly result in land use changes to compensate for the lack of edible oil production. Furthermore, the price premium that higher-quality edible oils command would likely drive the price of canola feedstock for biofuels to uncompetitive levels.

[0022] Oil from soybeans, a cool-season leguminous crop grown in North America, South America, and much of Asia, has been used as a feedstock for biofuels. As a source of edible oil, soybeans currently account for more than 60% of edible oil consumption in the United States (data extracted from Table 20: Annual supply and distribution of oilseeds and products for local markets in the United States, and Table 21: Annual supply and distribution of soybeans and products for local markets in the United States); (https: / / apps.fas.usda.gov / psdonline / circulars / oilseeds.pdf). Competition between use as edible oil and biofuel feedstock has led to price volatility, which has likely reduced its economic prospects as a biofuel feedstock (Wisner 2010). Moreover, the consequences of converting large amounts of edible oil to biofuel applications will almost certainly trigger indirect land-use change emissions.

[0023] Palm oil is another major feedstock for biofuel production and is grown in both Asia and South America. However, palm oil faces significant barriers in many jurisdictions due to land use changes resulting from the establishment of palm plantations in sensitive ecosystems. Palm oil use has been associated with high levels of GHG emissions due to large-scale deforestation caused by the establishment of monoculture palm plantations. So-called certified sustainable palm oil, or palm oil produced according to the standards of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), is distinguished from uncertified palm oil due to the producer's commitment to protecting and conserving high-value natural forests. However, sustainable palm oil is much more expensive than uncertified palm oil, which is a disadvantage for its use as a feedstock for biofuels.

[0024] Ethiopian mustard is a member of the Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae) family and is also known as carinata, Ethiopian mustard, Abyssinian mustard, African Sarson and Gomenzer. In addition to Ethiopian mustard, the genus Brassica includes several important economic oilseed crop species: B. juncea (L). Czern. (brown mustard), B. napus L. (canola, Argentine canola), B. nigra (L.) WDJ Koch (black mustard), and B. rapa L. (field mustard, Polish canola), and also includes B. oleracea L. food crops, which include Chinese cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Brussels sprouts and kale. The six Brassica species are closely related genetically as described in the Triangle of U (Nagaharu 1935). The native range of Carinata includes the central highlands region of Ethiopia; however, recent efforts have exploited the inherent genetic variation of Carinata to produce varieties that are productive in more diverse agricultural environments, including areas where semi-arid regions or marginal agricultural lands may predominate.

[0025] B. aestivum produces abundant, spherical seeds that are 1-1.5 mm in diameter (Mnzava and Schippers 2007) and range in color from yellow to yellow-brown to brown (Alemaw 1987, Rahman and Tahir 2010). The seeds are rich in oil, ranging from 37-44% based on seed dry weight, depending on the variety and growing conditions. The seed protein content is also high, at 25-30% of seed dry weight (Pan et al., 2012). Unlike canola, B. aestivum produces non-edible oil.

[0026] In Spain and Italy, carinata seed oil has been used as a biofuel (Cardone et al., 2002, Cardone et al., 2003, Bouaid et al., 2005, Gasol et al., 2007, Gasol et al., 2009) and a bioindustrial feedstock with a variety of uses (i.e., in lubricants, paints, cosmetics, plastics). In North America, carinata has been evaluated as a biofuel feedstock (Drenth et al., 2014, Drenth et al., 2015), and crude oil from Ethiopian mustard seeds has been used to produce green or renewable diesel, biodiesel, and biojet fuel (Drenth et al., 2014). In October 2012, the National Research Council of Canada successfully conducted an experimental aviation flight using the world's first 100% biojet fuel ("ReadiJet 100% Biofuel Flight - One of the 25 Most Important Scientific Events of 2012", Popular Science Magazine, 2012 (12)).

[0027] In western Canada, Blackshaw and colleagues compared several oilseed species for suitability as a source of FAME biodiesel (Blackshaw et al., 2011). In trials conducted at five locations in western Canada (during 2008-2009), the yield and oil feedstock quality of a number of oilseed species and varieties were evaluated, including three canola varieties (one each of the Brassica napus, Brassica rapa, and Brassica juncea canola types), B. carinata, Camelina sativa, Oriental mustard (Brassica juncea), Sinapis alba, soybean, and flax. According to the results of these studies, in 1 year, only in 1 of the 9 locations did B. carinata yield more than B. napus canola (check line), which had the lowest total yield of all the items tested in these trials, and in terms of oil content, B. carinata ranked third lowest (only higher than Brassica juncea and soybean). However, it should be noted that the carinata variety used in this study was a heterogeneous "common" variety, not a commercial elite variety.

[0028] In contrast, in a comparison of Brassica oilseed varieties conducted in Minnesota in 2012-2013, Gesch et al. (2015) claimed that they demonstrated that new commercial carinata varieties produced grain yields comparable to commercial canola-type Brassica napus varieties, while having nearly twice the aboveground biomass of rapeseed varieties. Gesch et al. taught that carinata crops have a lower seed to aboveground biomass ratio (harvest index) and suggested that there is room for improvement in grain yield through breeding. However, Gesch et al. did not teach that the higher biomass of Ethiopian mustard could provide benefits in terms of the potential to return additional carbon to the soil.

[0029] Johnson and colleagues showed that carinata grain and biomass yields were positively correlated with increasing nitrogen fertilizer applications, with maximum yields of straw and grain not reaching a plateau under the conditions studied (up to 160-200 kg N / ha, depending on the experiment) (Johnson et al., 2013). This could be considered to indicate that carinata grain production may require high levels of nitrogen; however, they also claim to have demonstrated that high grain yields can be obtained without the addition of nitrogen fertilizer under conditions of pre-existing high levels of soil nitrogen mineralization. On the other hand, Johnson et al. do not teach the potential positive effects of rotating Ethiopian mustard with legumes, such as lentils, peas, or soybeans, which fix nitrogen and increase the extent of soil nitrogen mineralization to reduce the requirements for nitrogen fertilizer and carbon intensity of carinata production.

[0030] As a first attempt to establish the carbon footprint of cultivated Ethiopian mustard, a GHG life cycle analysis was performed on a bioenergy farming system for carinata based on the use of the harvested complete aboveground biomass (including grain) as a lignocellulosic power generation system (Gasol et al., 2007). Based on estimates of carbon associated with its extensive root system, Gasol et al. teach that up to 631 kg / ha of CO2 can be transferred to the soil, resulting in a reduction of up to 71% in CO2 equivalent emissions in the atmosphere relative to a baseline natural gas power generation system. However, Gasol et al. did not consider the possibility of additional nutrients being returned to the soil by aboveground biomass after harvesting and collecting carinata grains, nor did they consider the use of grains for raw material extraction for biofuel and meal co-products as a high-protein animal feed additive.

[0031] While the above cited references suggest that B. carinata may be a suitable dedicated feedstock crop for biofuel production, it is unknown how to produce this feedstock from B. carinata in a variety of regions, soil conditions, and crop rotations to achieve the lowest possible and most favorable carbon intensity of the biofuel pathway. Summary of the invention

[0032] As a means of reducing dependence on fossil fuel use and the attendant increase in greenhouse gas emissions, and contributing to sustainable agriculture, the invention described herein includes methods of cultivating Ethiopian mustard, a crop that produces oil from its harvested seeds, which are a feedstock for the production of biofuels that replace fossil fuels, and also produces a high-quality protein-rich meal byproduct that can be used in commercial livestock feed diets. More specifically, the invention describes methods of cultivating crops using optimal agronomy and land management practices applied in multiple climate zones and regions, resulting in substantial reductions in CO2 and GHG emissions in the atmosphere relative to an equivalent amount of fossil fuels.

[0033] B. aestivum can be grown sustainably in a variety of environments to produce high-quality biofuel feedstocks while

[0034] a. Reduction of GHG emissions associated with feedstock production and subsequent biofuel manufacture;

[0035] b. Increase the carbon content in the cultivation soil;

[0036] c. provide conditions to increase crop yields in rotational production; and

[0037] d. Achievement of the above with little or no additional land use change.

[0038] These attributes can accumulate credits through schemes or programs that aim to assign a value to carbon emissions, such as the RFS program in the United States and the RED program in the European Union. Such programs can also monetize the value of carbon generated during fuel production and utilization, in such a way as to reduce the current price difference between fossil fuels and alternative biofuels. The end result is the recognition of carbon as a primary commodity value. Similarly, the concept of carinata as a crop that is being produced and valued as a source of a specific commodity (i.e. as a feedstock for biofuels) is being replaced by one whose value represents an ideal balance between carbon release and carbon reduction. From this perspective, the production of carinata represents a new category of agricultural production, one that can be described as carbon agriculture.

[0039] The present invention provides for the cultivation of carinata in specific climate and soil zones and geographic regions, using specific agricultural and land management practices, to provide sustainable feedstocks for biofuels and feed, while providing measurable benefits in the form of reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved soil structure, and improved performance of subsequent crops grown in rotation with carinata.

[0040] Unlike canola, mustard produces non-edible oil, and its production can be carried out on marginal lands or as part of crop rotations in lieu of summer or winter fallows, which would minimize the displacement of food crops with little or no accompanying land use change.

[0041] In an embodiment, methods are provided for growing Ethiopian mustard varieties to enable short-day winter farming in temperate or subtropical regions, and long-day summer farming in cold temperate arid regions.

[0042] In some embodiments, cultivation conditions are provided in which carinata is left on previously cultivated land instead of being left fallow and a crop rotation is performed before or after a pulse, legume or cereal crop.

[0043] In other embodiments, agronomic and land management practices for growing and harvesting Ethiopian mustard grain are provided, including the application of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, seeding rates and seeding depths to obtain optimal grain and biomass.

[0044] In other embodiments, land management practices for carinata cultivation are provided, for example, above-ground and underground carinata plant biomass is returned to the field to improve soil carbon level to the greatest extent. The carbon accumulation degree that carinata can achieve is an unexpected discovery. While other oilseed plants such as canola optimize the yield of cereals through the breeding of varieties, these varieties will be the production of plant energy input seeds at the expense of biomass generation, and Ethiopian mustard has achieved high-level cereal yield and biomass output simultaneously. The biomass of the increase produced in this way absorbs a large amount of carbon, and most of carbon can be returned to the soil after harvesting subsequently.

[0045] In other embodiments, conditions for growing Ethiopica juncea are provided to produce grains whose oil is used as a feedstock for biofuel (e.g., HVO) production, while simultaneously producing meal as a byproduct of oil recovery having the protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and energy described for use as animal feed.

[0046] In other embodiments, a method for producing a feedstock for preparing a low carbon intensity biofuel is provided. The carbon intensity of the biofuel prepared using the feedstock produced in this way can be negative, promoting the reduction of greenhouse gases.

[0047] In some embodiments, when winters may be too harsh to support the cultivation of crops, Ethiopian mustard can be planted immediately after winter, soil temperatures permitting, as part of a crop rotation, replacing the spring / summer fallow that typically occurs after the crops are harvested and before the intervening winter.

[0048] One aspect of the present invention provides a method, comprising:

[0049] a. Planting an Ethiopian mustard variety as a second crop in rotation with the first crop or in place of fallow land;

[0050] b. Implement land management practices to reduce the use of fossil fuel inputs and maximize atmospheric carbon capture through B. aethiopica biomass;

[0051] c. harvesting said Ethiopian mustard variety to obtain grain; and

[0052] d. Returning from about 70% to about 90% of all plant material other than the grains of the Ethiopian mustard variety to the soil.

[0053] In some embodiments, the method includes planting the Ethiopian mustard variety immediately after or simultaneously with harvesting the first crop for continuous production of the crop without an intervening fallow period.

[0054] In some embodiments, the method further comprises processing the grain to produce oil, thereby using the oil as a feedstock for producing low carbon intensity biofuel.

[0055] In some embodiments, the method further comprises processing the grain so that a low fiber, protein rich meal fraction remains after extracting the oil fraction, and the meal fraction can be used as a protein rich feed additive for livestock production.

[0056] In some embodiments, a new crop other than Ethiopian mustard is planted immediately after or at the same time as Ethiopian mustard is harvested without an intermediate fallow period, thereby increasing the productivity of the land while adding additional carbon to the soil. As a result, overall greenhouse gas emissions associated with agriculture are reduced.

[0057] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for cultivating Ethiopian mustard, the method comprising:

[0058] a. planting the Ethiopian mustard variety immediately after or at the same time as the first crop is harvested to allow for continuous crop production without an intermediate fallow period;

[0059] b. implementing land management practices to reduce the use of fossil fuel inputs and to maximize the capture of atmospheric carbon through the biomass of the said Ethiopian mustard varieties;

[0060] c. harvesting said Ethiopian mustard variety to obtain grains,

[0061] d. returning from about 70% to about 90% of all plant material of the Ethiopian mustard variety other than grain to the soil,

[0062] e. planting a new crop immediately after or simultaneously with the harvest of Ethiopian mustard without an intervening fallow period, the new crop being the same as or different from the first crop, but the new crop being not Ethiopian mustard,

[0063] f. processing the grain to produce oil, thereby using the oil as a feedstock for the production of low carbon intensity biofuels, and,

[0064] g. Processing the grains so that after extraction of the oil fraction a low fiber, protein rich meal fraction remains which can be used as a protein rich feed additive for livestock production.

[0065] It is generally understood by those skilled in the art that a fallow period is a common practice in many areas. It is also generally understood by those skilled in the art that a fallow period may generally include leaving the land untreated for a period equal to the usual time of planting the first crop, or a fallow period may also include planting cover crops to control soil erosion or to help prevent the growth of undesirable plants (e.g., weeds). In each case, the term fallow is used to broadly describe a period of time during which the land is not used to produce the first crop, but is able to not plant crops or sow a plant or crop that is only used to provide plant cover on the ground. For each agricultural region, the time and duration of fallow will vary due to differences in climate and practice between the various regions, and this is generally apparent to those skilled in the art of agriculture; however, the term fallow describes a period of time during which the land is considered to be unproductive.

[0066] There are many cover crops that have been used during fallow periods, including wheat, rye, other grasses and even crops that produce oil from seeds, such as Brassica napus, Brassica juncea, Camelina and Lesquerella. However, crops such as wheat, rye and other grasses do not produce oil for low carbon intensity fuels, and crops such as Camelina and Lesquerella do not produce significant levels of biomass, cannot capture enough carbon, and cannot retain greenhouse gases like Ethiopian mustard. For example, (Gesch et al., 2015) under the usual planting conditions of commonly used fallows, Ethiopian mustard produces at most twice the biomass of Brassica napus and more than 4.5 times the biomass of Camelina. In the present invention, we have demonstrated the unexpected beneficial result that Ethiopian mustard can replace the fallow period and add more carbon to the soil, with the additional advantage of recovering grains that can be used to produce low carbon intensity fuels.

[0067] An object of the present invention is to provide a method in which practices are used to avoid fallowing and replace fallowing with Ethiopian mustard to maximize the capture of atmospheric carbon added to the soil at harvest. These practices can include reducing fertilizers and reducing the use of additional water, such as irrigation. The unique properties of Ethiopian mustard, including enhanced tolerance to extreme climate change, such as frost events or high temperature events, make it possible to cultivate Ethiopian mustard in areas where other oilseed plants cannot grow or cannot produce harvestable products (e.g., grains containing a high percentage of oil in the grain).

[0068] In conventional fallow schemes, at the end of the fallow period, the plant material that grew during the fallow period is simply tilled or killed with herbicides and then incorporated into the soil. The present invention provides a more beneficial use of the land through the Ethiopica juncea biomass, providing more atmospheric carbon to the soil, and the added advantage of harvesting grain containing oil that can be used to produce low carbon intensity fuels.

[0069] In some embodiments, the invention provides a method of producing grain for use in producing a vegetable oil feedstock for use in producing a low carbon intensity fuel; a method for adding carbon to soil; and / or a method for obtaining carbon credits.

[0070] In some embodiments, a method of producing grain for use as a feedstock for producing a low carbon intensity fuel is provided, wherein the method comprises:

[0071] a. planting the Ethiopian mustard variety immediately after or simultaneously with the harvesting of the first crop, so as to provide for the continuous production of the crop without an intermediate fallow period;

[0072] b. implementing land management practices to reduce the use of fossil fuel inputs and to maximize the capture of atmospheric carbon through the biomass of the Ethiopian mustard;

[0073] c. harvesting said Ethiopian mustard variety to obtain grains;

[0074] d. returning from about 70% to about 90% of all plant material of the Ethiopian mustard variety other than grain to the soil,

[0075] e. processing the grain to recover oil and meal, and

[0076] f. Converting the oil into a low carbon intensity fuel and converting the meal into a high protein feed supplement for livestock.

[0077] In other embodiments, there is provided:

[0078] 1. A method for cultivating Ethiopian mustard, the method comprising:

[0079] a. Planting Ethiopian mustard varieties as a second crop in rotation with the first crop or in place of fallow land;

[0080] b. implementing land management practices to reduce the use of fossil fuel inputs and maximize the capture of atmospheric carbon by plant material of said Ethiopian mustard variety;

[0081] c. harvesting said Ethiopian mustard variety to obtain grain; and

[0082] d. Returning from about 70% to about 90% of all plant material of the Ethiopica mustard variety other than the grain to the soil.

[0083] 2. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising planting the Ethiopian mustard variety immediately after or simultaneously with harvesting the first crop to produce sequential crops without an intervening fallow period.

[0084] 3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2, further comprising processing the harvested grain to extract oil and produce a meal fraction.

[0085] 4. The method described in embodiment 3 also includes using the oil as a raw material for producing low carbon intensity biofuel.

[0086] 5. The method of embodiment 4, wherein the carbon intensity value of the low carbon intensity biofuel is reduced by about 50 to about 200 gCO relative to the carbon intensity value of the corresponding fuel from the fossil fuel feedstock. 2eq / MJ.

[0087] 6. The method of embodiment 4, wherein the production of the low carbon intensity biofuel results in a reduction of GHG emissions by about 60% to about 400% over its life cycle relative to the GHG emissions resulting from the production of the corresponding fuel from fossil fuel feedstock.

[0088] 7. The method described in embodiment 3 also includes producing a protein-rich feed additive from the coarse meal part, and the feed additive is used in livestock production.

[0089] 8. The method of any one of embodiments 1-7, further comprising planting a new crop that is the same as or different from the first crop, but is not Ethiopian mustard, immediately after or simultaneously with harvesting the Ethiopian mustard without an intermediate fallow period.

[0090] 9. The method of any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein the method further comprises sequestering carbon in soil.

[0091] 10. The method of any of embodiments 1-9, wherein the method sequesters about 0.5 to about 5 tons of CO2 per hectare per year into the soil.

[0092] 11. The method of any one of embodiments 1-10, wherein the land management practices include practicing no-till, low-till, or mid-till.

[0093] 12. The method of any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein the land management practice comprises no irrigation or reduced irrigation compared to a normal amount of irrigation required for another oilseed crop under the same growing conditions.

[0094] 13. The method of any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the land management practices include reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers compared to the recommended nitrogen fertilizer usage for the growing environment of Ethiopica juncea.

[0095] 14. The method of embodiment 13, comprising reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer to about 40% to about 100% of the recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer for the growing environment of E.

[0096] 15. The method of embodiment 13, comprising reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer to about 40% to about 90% of the recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer for the growing environment of E.

[0097] 16. The method of embodiment 13, comprising reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer to about 50% to about 70% of the recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer for the growing environment of B.

[0098] 17. The method of any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the land management practices include using manure to provide from about 20% to about 100% of the nitrogen fertilizer required to grow Erythropicrin.

[0099] 18. The method of any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the land management practices include using manure to provide about 30% to about 90% of the nitrogen fertilizer required to grow Erythropicrin.

[0100] 19. The method of any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the land management practices include using manure to provide about 40% to about 80% of the nitrogen fertilizer required to grow Erythropicrin.

[0101] 20. The method of any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the land management practices include using manure to provide about 50% to about 75% of the nitrogen fertilizer required to grow Erythropicrin.

[0102] 21. The method of any one of embodiments 17-20, wherein the manure is chicken manure, cow manure or sheep manure.

[0103] 22. The method of any one of embodiments 1-21, wherein the Ethiopica mustard variety would normally be planted on land during periods when the land is fallow.

[0104] 23. The method of any one of embodiments 1-22, wherein there is little or no land use change.

[0105] 24. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the first crop is a legume crop.

[0106] 25. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the legume crop is bean, pea, lentil, soybean, peanut or alfalfa.

[0107] 26. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the legume crop is peanut, lentil or soybean.

[0108] 27. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the first crop is a cereal crop.

[0109] 28. The method of embodiment 27, wherein the cereal crop is wheat, barley, rye, oats or corn.

[0110] 29. The method of embodiment 27, wherein the cereal crop is wheat or corn.

[0111] 30. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the first crop is cotton or sesame.

[0112] 31. The method of any one of embodiments 1-30, wherein the growing environment is located in a tropical humid climate region, and wherein the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in the fall or winter for harvesting in the spring or summer.

[0113] 32. The method of any one of embodiments 1-30, wherein the growing environment is located in a tropical humid climate region, and wherein the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in the spring for harvesting in the summer or fall.

[0114] 33. The method of embodiment 31, wherein the first crop is cotton or sesame.

[0115] 34. The embodiment of embodiment 30 or 31, wherein the first crop is a legume crop or a cereal crop.

[0116] 35. The method of embodiment 34, wherein the legume crop is peanut, lentil or soybean.

[0117] 36. The method of embodiment 34, wherein the cereal crop is corn or wheat.

[0118] 37. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the first crop is a legume crop, the growing environment is located in a warm temperate humid climate region, and the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in the fall or winter for harvesting in the spring or summer.

[0119] 38. The method of embodiment 37, wherein the legume crop is peanut, lentil or soybean.

[0120] 39. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the first crop is a cereal crop, the growing environment is located in a warm temperate humid climate region, and the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in spring or summer for harvesting in fall or winter.

[0121] 40. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the first crop is a cereal crop, the growing environment is located in a warm temperate dry climate region, and the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in the fall or winter for harvesting in the spring or summer.

[0122] 41. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the first crop is a cereal crop, the growing environment is located in a cold temperate dry climate region, and the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in the spring for harvesting in the summer or fall.

[0123] 42. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the first crop is a cereal crop, the growing environment is located in a cold temperate humid climate region, and the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in spring for harvesting in summer or fall.

[0124] 43. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the first crop is a cereal crop, the growing environment is located in a tropical dry climate region, and the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in the fall or winter for harvesting in the spring or summer.

[0125] 44. The method of any one of embodiments 39-43, wherein the cereal crop is corn or wheat.

[0126] 45. The method of any one of embodiments 1-44, wherein the method results in sequestration of 0.5 to about 5 tons of CO2 / ha / year in the soil.

[0127] 46. ​​The method of any one of embodiments 1-45, wherein the harvesting is performed by a combine harvester.

[0128] 47. The method of embodiment 46, wherein the harvesting is performed by direct union. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0129] Figure 1 The steps for producing HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) from cultivated Ethiopica mustard grain are shown within the "Well to Tank" system boundaries of the BioGrace GHG Emissions Calculator. The partition factor for the first three steps is 0.613. The yield of HVO is 0.58 MJ / MJ carinata seed.

[0130] Definitions

[0131] In the following description, examples and tables, a number of terms are used. In order to facilitate a clear and consistent understanding of the present invention, the following definitions are provided.

[0132] Biofuels are fuels produced from feedstocks derived from hydrocarbon sources (plant, animal or bacterial), as opposed to fuels derived from fossil sources.

[0133] a. First Generation: Typically, first generation biofuels are fuels derived from biomass obtained from food crops, for example, ethanol produced by fermentation of starch and sugars or biodiesel produced by transesterification of edible vegetable oils.

[0134] b. Second Generation: Second generation biofuels are fuels made from biomass derived from dedicated non-food energy crops or from feedstocks derived from harvest residues of food crops. The former are feedstock oils from dedicated energy crops such as Jatropha curcas, while the latter include lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose from corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, etc.

[0135] c. Advanced or third generation biofuels: Biofuels produced from algae feedstock.

[0136] Biomass is broadly defined as organically derived material that includes living or recently living organisms. Aboveground plant biomass includes all biomass associated with plant parts above the soil surface at the time of sampling. Similarly, belowground plant biomass includes all biomass associated with plant parts below the soil surface at the time of sampling. Thus, total plant biomass is defined as the sum of aboveground biomass and all belowground biomass at the time of sampling.

[0137] Carbon intensity (CI) refers to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by a unit amount of fuel over its entire life cycle, compared to the energy produced when that unit of fuel is burned. GHG generation is determined through an in-depth life cycle analysis (LCA) that lists all GHG emissions released per unit of fuel production and use. For biofuels, this would include emissions resulting from growing the crop and subsequently transporting the harvested material, then converting the harvested material into fuel feedstock, transport and storage of the feedstock, producing the fuel from the feedstock, storage and distribution of the fuel, and ultimately the use of the fuel. CI is reported as the mass of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases emitted per unit of energy contained in the fuel, expressed in grams of CO2-equivalent per megajoule of energy produced (gCO2e / MJ).

[0138] Carinata refers to seeds or plants of the Ethiopian mustard species, which contains the B genome from Brassica nigra and the C genome from Brassica oleracea (Nagahuru, 1935).

[0139] The term cereal or cereal crop refers to grasses cultivated for their grains and includes, but is not limited to, barley, corn, oats, rice, rye, and wheat.

[0140] In this article, the term climate region, climate area, climate refers to the geographical division of the earth's surface, which is demarcated according to the similarity of historical average temperature, precipitation and seasonal changes. The climate region used in this application is derived from the climate region described in the EU document "COMMISSION DECISION of 10 June 2010 on guidelines for the calculation of land carbon stocks for the purpose of Annex V to Directive 2009 / 28 / EC", which is established on the basis of the climate regions established by IPCC (IPCC 2006, 2006 IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Guidelines, prepared by National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Program, Eggleston HS, Buendia L., Miwa K., Ngara T. and Tanabe K. (editor). Published: IGES, Japan). Regions are defined according to the commonality of altitude, mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP), the ratio of mean annual precipitation to potential evapotranspiration and the occurrence of frost. There are 12 climate zones: tropical mountain; tropical humid; tropical humid; tropical dry; warm temperate humid; warm temperate dry; cold temperate humid; cold temperate dry; boreal humid; boreal dry; polar humid, and polar dry (as described in Table 2 below).

[0141] Table 2: IPCC climate region definitions

[0142]

[0143] Combining is the process of harvesting and collecting seed pods from mature crops, threshing the seed pods to release the seeds (grains), and thrashing the now empty seed pods, stems and branches (collectively known as chaff) to separate and recover the grain therefrom. These once distinct operations are now often "combined" using multi-purpose mechanized equipment, appropriately called a "combine" harvester.

[0144] Cover crops are annual plants that grow to enrich or improve the soil. The role of cover plants is to prevent soil degradation due to erosion and nutrient leaching in the root zone of root crops. Cover crops can also help to preserve soil moisture, act as a reservoir to maintain soil nutrients, improve soil structure by increasing soil carbon content, and act as a disease break to prevent the persistence of plant pathogens. According to its nature, cover crops are planted in a season to protect or improve the potential of the soil, supporting the growth of crops in the next season. Usually, cover crops are not planted to expect to obtain harvestable materials with intrinsic economic value such as the ability to produce food, fuel or fiber. On the contrary, the plant body produced by cover crops is usually incorporated into the soil during its life cycle or at the end of its life cycle. In contrast, although Ethiopian mustard has similar benefits to soil and subsequent crops, it can harvest oil-rich grains after harvesting, and the grains can be processed into raw materials for the production of biofuels, and protein-rich meal that can be used for animal feed, which can bring direct economic returns to farmers.

[0145] Cultivation: Cultivation refers to the conditions under which a crop is sown, maintained, and harvested. For carinata, factors of cultivation include the following:

[0146] a. Planting time: carinata is a medium- to long-term crop that requires a slightly longer growing season than other mustard types. Therefore, planting early will yield the best results. The ideal planting date depends largely on geographic location and weather. However, in general, the soil should be at least 40F or higher before planting.

[0147] i. Canadian Prairies and the northern tier of the United States: Typical planting occurs in the spring from early April to late May.

[0148] ii. Southeastern United States: Typical planting occurs in the fall between October and November.

[0149] iii. South America (Uruguay): The best time to plant is in autumn or winter (usually between early May and late June).

[0150] b. Sowing: Soil type and previous history of cultivation will affect the type of tillage required to prepare the seedbed. Reduced or minimal tillage can increase water conservation, improve soil organic matter, fuel efficiency and enhance erosion control. Carinata can be planted in conventional or rarely tilled soils, or it can be planted in vertical stubble without tillage. The seeding rate is carried out to achieve a plant density of 80-180 plants per square meter. Ethiopian mustard can be sown at a constant depth of 0.5-5.0 cm, for example, a depth of 1.35-2.5 cm.

[0151] c. Fertilization: Fertilization requirements for carinata are similar to those of other mustards and canola. Adequate nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur are needed to achieve its true yield potential. Manure can be used as a source of organic nitrogen to replace some or all of the inorganic nitrogen recommended for growing Ethiopian mustard in a particular soil composition. Fertilization rates vary with growing region and soil fertility.

[0152] d. Tillage: Carinata may be planted in soils maintained under conventional tillage, where conventional tillage or full tillage involves extensive soil inversion repeated several times per year so that few plants remain on the soil surface at planting. Alternatively, Carinata may be planted in soils maintained under conservation tillage practices whereby the degree and frequency of tillage is greatly reduced relative to conventional tillage (so-called mid-till or low-till soil management), or may be planted in standing stubble without tillage. A more comprehensive description of each tillage practice is provided in the definition of land management practices below.

[0153] e. Moisture: Carinata requires adequate soil moisture at planting and emergence for good establishment, but can tolerate reduced moisture thereafter and withstands the semi-arid midsummer conditions of the southern Canadian prairies well.

[0154] f. Temperature: Carinata is a temperate climate crop but has adapted to the more extreme conditions experienced in the southern Canadian prairies and northern U.S. states. During initial forest formation, carinata can recover from short-term frost conditions and is more heat tolerant during flowering and fruiting than other Brassica oilseed plants.

[0155] g. Herbicides: carinata is an aggressive crop, and if it can be well established, it will have a competitive advantage over many weeds. However, if certain weed species are allowed to establish early and persist, the weed species will affect the quality and yield of all crops including carinata. Examples of weeds that can adversely affect carinata yield and quality include cochia, wild mustard and wild radish. Therefore, weed management is an important aspect of modern agricultural practice, which includes several different but complementary methods, including physical methods for removing weeds before sowing, such as cultivation, tillage and field weeding of fields, and using chemical agents or herbicides to suppress or kill weed species before establishing and / or being able to place and release seeds. Herbicides are a class of pesticides that include a large number of chemical compounds that interfere with specific biological processes of plants in some way, thereby hindering the growth and survival of plants. Herbicides are classified according to the biological processes they interact with. It can include inhibition of lipid biosynthesis, inhibition of amino acid biosynthesis, hormone regulation of plant growth, inhibition of photosynthesis, inhibition of nitrogen metabolism, inhibition of plant pigment biosynthesis or function, agents that destroy cell membranes, and agents that inhibit seedling growth (Sherwani et al., 2015). In general, different compounds and herbicide categories may show different degrees of efficacy to certain weed species. In addition, some crops show stronger tolerance to certain types of herbicides than other herbicides. Therefore, in a specific geographic area, the specific herbicide used to control weeds may depend on the nature of the crops cultivated and the native weeds encountered in the area. Therefore, based on the performance record of a specific herbicide and its proven ability to control related weeds without significantly affecting crop yield, it can be specified for use in crops. The registered use also specifies the specific method of application of the herbicide, including the recommended herbicide concentration, use of appropriate diluents, adjuvants, surfactants, etc., mode of application (i.e., spray vs. granules), timing of application at the appropriate crop stage to ensure minimal damage to the crop, time of application and amount of application to ensure optimal weed control, location of application (foliar or soil application), and recommended weather conditions for optimal weed control. https: / / agrisoma.com / ckfinder / userfiles / files / 2017_18_SE_Handbook.pdf ) lists some recommended herbicides for Ethiopian mustard planted in the southeastern United States. The foregoing is taken as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

[0156] h. Fungicides constitute a class of pesticides that includes various chemical agents that can prevent or reduce the severity of plant attacks by pathogenic fungi. As with herbicides, there are many types of fungicides. FRAC (Fungicide Resistance Action Committee; http: / / www.frac.info / home) lists 12 classes of fungicides based on the different biochemical pathways that a class of fungicides targets, as well as a 13th class that includes fungicides with unknown modes of action. Fungicides are also differentiated by their mode of delivery and site of action: some fungicides are sprayed on the plant surface, while others are applied to the soil surface as granules or as liquids that flood the soil surface. Fungicides applied to the soil tend to be absorbed by the roots and transported to all plant tissues through the xylem. Foliar fungicides can be topical—protecting only the surfaces they contact, systemic—absorbed by the upper plant surface and then transported by the xylem to all above-ground tissues, or partially systemic—they can be absorbed locally but transported only a short distance to protect a surface slightly wider than the point where the fungicide contact originated. Also, as with herbicides, there is a system of fungicide registration that limits the use of specific fungicides to applications for specific crops and fungal diseases where the application has been shown to be most effective and safe. Fungal diseases of Brassica oilseed crops can reduce the yield and quality of harvested grain. Depending on the nature and severity of the fungal pathogen infection, the impact can range from minor to complete crop loss. Fungicides can help mitigate the risk of losses due to fungal infection, but the cost of spraying fungicides is so high that a cost-benefit and risk assessment type analysis needs to be done before a decision is made to proceed. Examples of fungal diseases of Brassica and mustard oilseed plants with significant economic impacts include

[0157] i. Sclerotinia stem rot is caused by a fungus whose spores infect Brassica species primarily during the flowering period, with the onset of infection associated with periods of high humidity. It forms lesions on the stems that eventually kill the plant. Fungicides that can control the severity of the infection can be used, but must be used at a specific time in the plant's life cycle (i.e., early to mid-flowering) for best results. Multiple applications are usually required during this time period.

[0158] ii. Alternaria is a fungal disease of Brassica plants that affects all growth stages of plants from early seedlings to maturity, although mature plants are more susceptible. The most serious economic impact is the impact on grain yield and quality. Foliar fungicide applications at the post-flowering stage are an effective way to mitigate the more detrimental effects of the disease on grain yield and quality.

[0159] iii. Blackleg is a fungal disease of Brassica oilseed crops that infects plants at all stages, but is more severe in early stages, often causing necrotic lesions on the lower stems of the plant, effectively cutting off the plant at the base. Fungicides applied during the early growth stages of the plant are only partially effective and offer little protection.

[0160] iv.Clubroot is a soil-borne fungus that affects the roots of Brassica oilseed crops. Spores can persist in the soil for long periods of time and there is currently no effective fungicide treatment. Management may require the use of crop rotation, which limits the frequency with which Brassicas can be planted.

[0161] i. Insecticides are a third class of pesticide compounds designed to reduce or eliminate crop losses due to insect predation on crops. Like herbicides and fungicides, insecticides are classified according to their mode of action and the biochemical pathways they target. The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC; http: / / www.irac-online.org ) lists 29 classes of pesticides, which are grouped by common biochemical processes and pathways targeted by the pesticide compounds. As with herbicides and fungicides, the function and persistence of pesticides can also be affected by their site of action, i.e., whether they are active only on the surface of the plant to which they are applied, or whether they act as systemic agents. Some pesticides can be further distinguished according to whether they show selectivity for specific insect types due to some unique aspects of their insect biology. Given that some insects play beneficial roles, such as controlling plant pests, acting as pollinators for plants, and improving the nutrient content of the soil, it is important not to apply pesticides indiscriminately, but to restrict their effects as much as possible to the desired target species. Therefore, measures such as the time of application, the amount and route of application, and restrictions on the type of pesticide used and the crops on which it can be used are all introduced into the registered use standards of pesticides to ensure their safety and effectiveness. Examples of insect species that may have significant negative economic impacts on the yield and grain quality of Brassica and mustard oilseed crops are listed below:

[0162] j. Flea beetles are very common pests of Brassica oilseed and mustard crop species, feeding on leaves and stems. When flea beetles appear in the early stages of crop growth, they can cause severe thinning of crop stands, which will ultimately have a significant impact on grain yields. There are insecticide products that can be used as foliar sprays that are effective in controlling early infestations.

[0163] k. Adult diamondback moths lay eggs on the surface of brassica oilseed and mustard leaves and hatch, resulting in larvae that attack the leaves and stems of the crop. Larvae from eggs that hatch later will also feed on the seed pods. The most significant infestations begin early in the plant life cycle, as the moth life cycle can continue for several generations during a typical brassica oilseed crop season, resulting in increasing cycles of crop damage. Insecticide applications are most effective in this situation when larvae are first discovered early in the season.

[0164] l. Both adult and juvenile Cabbage Seedpod Weevils can cause significant damage to Brassica oilseed crops, primarily by impairing flowering and seed pod development. The adults will feed on the flower buds, severely weakening them and making them more susceptible to heat-induced damage and losses. The adults lay their eggs in the seed pods, while the larvae feed on the developing seeds. As the larvae mature into adults, they emerge from the pods and continue to feed on the seeds through the pod walls. Application of insecticides early in the flowering stage is necessary to control the initial infestation to interrupt secondary infestations.

[0165] m. Seed Treatment: Typically, specific fungicides and insecticides are formulated with chemical agents and adhesives into a composition that can be applied to the surface of the seed. Such seed treatments form a stable coating on the surface of the seed. The treated seeds can then be packaged and sold to farmers. When the seeds are subsequently planted, the fungicides and insecticides will be present at optimal doses to allow the germinating plants to resist early season insect and fungal attack when the plants are most vulnerable and to allow the plants to form better and stronger stands. The benefits include an increase in crop potential yield and a reduction in the need for early spraying.

[0166] Emission intensity is the average emission rate of a given pollutant from a given source relative to the intensity of a particular activity. As a specific example, carbon intensity is the amount of carbon (usually expressed in grams of CO2) released during the production of energy (expressed in megajoules).

[0167] Fallowing is the agricultural practice of leaving agricultural land with poor crops or vegetation for one or more growing seasons after the land has been intensively cultivated for a period of time. The purpose of lying fallow is to increase the likelihood of obtaining a better crop yield in the next season. The fallow season provides farmers with an opportunity to address weed problems in their fields. Weeds can be allowed to grow in the fallow field and then eradicated by physical means or herbicide treatments. It can be repeated several times in a fallow season, so the weed seed bank can be depleted more effectively than pre-sowing, during cultivation and after harvesting measures. The fallow period also benefits the soil by allowing the soil to accumulate water to replace that consumed by the previous crop. During the fallow period, plant residues and organic material from the roots of the previous crop can be more completely decomposed, further benefiting the soil by improving the structure and nutrient content of the soil. The fallow period also allows soil microorganisms and other soil organisms to replenish their numbers, and the interruption of crop production can also deplete specific plant pathogens that rely on crop species as hosts. Although it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the fallow period established in crop rotation can bring considerable benefits to the health and yield of subsequent and future crops, it will also be appreciated that in the short term, fallow fields cannot provide farmers with the opportunity to obtain economic returns from cash crops. In contrast, the cultivation of Ethiopian mustard in fallow places can provide the benefits of many of the above-mentioned soils and crop rotations with it as a cover crop, and also has an additional benefit, namely providing farmers with the possibility of obtaining significant economic returns from harvesting valuable oilseed cereals. Cultivating Ethiopian mustard in fallow places as a cover crop is also beneficial to the environment by providing a raw material for low-carbon intensity biofuel production, and by capturing and transferring a considerable amount of carbon to the soil to provide the opportunity to offset life cycle GHG emissions.

[0168] As used herein, feedstock refers to oil derived from the pressing of oilseeds, which has been roughly purified to render it suitable and sufficient as the initial production raw material for the production of biofuels by a particular process.

[0169] Fertilizers (inorganic, chemical, mineral) are artificial nutrients added to the soil by farmers / producers to supplement existing soil-based nutrients with the goal of optimizing the growth, yield and performance of cultivated plants and crops. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are the main elemental macronutrient components of fertilizers. Chemical components commonly used as chemical fertilizers include, but are not limited to:

[0170] Nitrogen fertilizers: ammonia (NH3), sodium nitrate (NaNO3), ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), calcium ammonium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2NH4NO3), monoammonium phosphate or MAP (NH4H2PO4), diammonium hydrogen phosphate or DAP ((NH4)2HPO4), and urea (CO(NH2)2).

[0171] Phosphate fertilizers: phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), superphosphate or OSP (monosalcium phosphate or Ca(H2PO4)2), phosphate rock, MAP and DAP

[0172] Potash fertilizers: potash, potassium oxide (K2O), potassium chloride (KCl), potassium nitrate (KNO3), potassium sulfate (K2SO4), monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4) and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K2HPO4).

[0173] Although the chemical forms of N, P, and K in fertilizers may vary, in order to compare fertilizers containing different forms of the three elements, their proportions are standardized as follows: nitrogen content is expressed as elemental nitrogen, phosphorus content is expressed as P2O5 equivalents, and potassium content is expressed as K2O equivalents. Conversion factors convert the weights of different mineral forms to the appropriate standard weights. Measuring the pre-existing nutrient content of the soil before planting is the most reliable method for determining the optimal fertilization level. Overfertilization (fertilization levels that exceed crop requirements and soil nutrient content) is not recommended for several reasons. Generally, the additional costs incurred by applying excessive fertilizers do not translate into an increase in crop yield to cover the additional costs. Likewise, excess nutrients can have a deleterious effect on crop growth. For example, in Brassica oilseed crops, excessive nitrogen can cause excessive leaf growth after bolting, but impair flowering and fruiting. In addition, excess nitrogen-based fertilizers can be released from the soil, either leaching into groundwater as material, subsequently entering waterways, or directly volatilizing. This leached and / or volatilized material can be converted to N2O by indirect processes (see below), resulting in GHG emissions. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers leaching from soils into groundwater can enter freshwater (lakes and rivers) to levels sufficient to cause eutrophication and deoxygenation, leading to damage to aquatic environments.

[0174] Grain, with respect to Ethiopian mustard, refers to the seeds which are harvested when mature and sold as a source of oil and meal products.

[0175] Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are a subset of gaseous byproducts emitted by anthropogenic sources, such as the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels or the release of volatile components from hydrocarbon-containing products, which increase global warming by contributing to the capture of radiant solar energy in the atmosphere. The main greenhouse gases are CO2 (carbon dioxide), CH4 (methane), N2O (nitrous oxide), and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). CFCs are a class of compounds used in aerosol propellants and refrigerants, and their emissions are usually the result of direct releases. N2O emissions can be generated by hydrocarbon fuel combustion as well as by releases from applied fertilizers. The most important GHGs are CO2, CH4, and N2O. GHGs are ranked according to their global warming potential (GWP), or their ability to stimulate global warming in aggregate. If their relative contributions to global warming (global warming potential) are compared on a per unit weight basis, N2O is 265 times more potent than CO2 and CH4 is 28 times more potent than CO2 (values ​​taken from the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report: IPCC, 2014: Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Group, RK Pachauri and LA Meyer (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, 151 pp.). Based on the above relative potencies, GHG emissions are usually expressed in terms of CO2 equivalent emissions (combining and normalizing the effects of the three GHGs released during energy production relative to CO2). GHG emissions and their impact on global warming are usually associated with the combustion of fossil fuels, but GHGs can also be released by burning biomass-based fuels. In the latter case, GHG emissions are offset by the absorption of CO2 by plants and crops during photosynthesis.

[0176] In this article, harvesting or harvesting refers to the act of collecting plant parts that have fully matured during the growing season, and the mature plant parts have value as a source of food, feed, fiber, raw material, structural material or as a propagule of the plant itself. Ideally, carinata is harvested by, for example, mechanical harvesting when the seeds are mature (seeds, pods and stems turn from green to yellow, and the seed moisture is 9.5% or less). Carinata can be harvested by direct cutting and combining, or it can be mowed and dried at an early stage as needed, dried naturally or with a desiccant, and then the dried swaths are combined. Canola tends to fall over ("lodging") when mature, and is usually "swathed" before combining. Swathing means cutting canola near the base of the plant and letting the plant lie flat in the field for a few days to allow the grain to reach a suitable dryness. Once dry, the swaths are then harvested by combining. Another variation is called "pushing", which is similar to mowing, except that the plant is pushed aside from the side and allowed to dry for a few days before combining. For all of these harvesting variants, the common final stage is the combine harvesting. However, carinata has stronger stalks than canola, so a better way to harvest carinata is to combine directly when ripe, rather than slashing or pushing first and then combining. Direct combine harvesting allows the rows to be harvested in a single pass through the field. In addition to combining, a single harvest produces less CO2 than slashing or pushing, due to reduced fuel use.

[0177] Harvest index (Hay, 1995) is a measure of the ratio between the weight of grain harvested from a mature plant and the weight of the remaining above-ground plant material, which may include stems and branches, remaining associated leaves, and empty seed pods (chaff).

[0178] Land Use Change (LUC): The term land use change as used in environmental science texts refers to changes in land use that result in significant changes in stored carbon, with accompanying changes in atmospheric levels of CO2 and other GHGs. Examples of LUC that result in increased CO2 and GHG emissions include clearing forest to increase arable land available for agricultural production, and clearing grassland to increase arable land available for agricultural production. Examples of LUC that result in decreased atmospheric levels of CO2 and GHGs include returning previously cultivated land to its natural state.

[0179] Land management practices: For the purposes of this application, the term "land management practices", for a given land use, refers to practices or changes that affect soil carbon levels, nutrient levels and water levels, which may also change the levels of CO2 and other GHGs in the atmosphere. These practices or changes may include: the types of tillage practices used and how crop residues are handled, the types and amounts of fertilizers (or other inputs) used, and specific crop rotations or fallow seasons used. Types of land management and land inputs can be found in Table 3 of the EC document entitled: COMMISSION DECISION of 10 June 2010 on guidelines for the calculation of land carbon stocks for the purpose of Annex V to Directive 2009 / 28 / EC, including

[0180] i. Full tillage: operations involving complete inversion and / or frequent (within a year) tillage, severe soil disturbance. At sowing, almost no surface (e.g. < 30%) is covered with residues;

[0181] ii. Reduced tillage: primary and / or secondary tillage, but with reduced soil disturbance (usually shallower and without complete soil inversion), typically leaving >30% of the residue cover surface at planting;

[0182] iii. No-till (or no tillage): direct seeding without initial tillage and minimal soil disturbance in the seeding area. Herbicides are usually used for weed control;

[0183] iv. Low tillage (or reduced tillage): low residue return due to residue removal (by collection or burning), frequent bare-fallow, production of low residue-yielding crops (e.g. vegetables, tobacco, cotton), and no mineral fertilizers or nitrogen-fixing crops;

[0184] v. Intertillage (or medium tillage): Representative of annual tillage of cereal crops, where all crop residues are returned to the field. If residues are removed, supplemental organic matter (e.g., manure) is added. Mineral fertilization or rotation with nitrogen-fixing crops may also be required;

[0185] vi. High and manure use: Carbon inputs are significantly higher compared to medium carbon input farming systems due to the additional practice of regularly adding animal manure;

[0186] vii. High but no manure: Crop residue inputs are significantly increased compared to the medium carbon input tillage system due to additional practices such as production of high residue yielding crops, use of green manures, cover crops, fallows with improved vegetation, irrigation, and frequent use of perennial pastures in annual crop rotations, but no manure (see above row).

[0187] Leguminosae (leguminous crops) are plants of the Fabaceae or Leguminosae family, grown primarily for their grains; their dried form is called pulses. Pulses are also forage grasses. An important feature of leguminous crops is that their roots have specially evolved structures, called nodules, that allow for symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. These symbiotic bacteria give leguminous crops the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen as ammonia, which the plant then uses in the biosynthesis of amino acids and proteins. When the plant dies, the nitrogen stored as protein returns to the soil and is ultimately converted into NO3, which is then made available to other plants.

[0188] Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is "a systematic procedure for compiling and examining the material and energy inputs and outputs and the associated environmental impacts directly attributable to the performance of a product or service system throughout its life cycle" (Draft ISO 14040.2: Life Cycle Assessment - Principles and Guidelines). "LCA is a technique for evaluating potential environmental aspects and potential aspects associated with a product (or service) by compiling an inventory of relevant inputs and outputs, assessing the potential environmental impacts associated with those inputs and outputs, and interpreting the results of the inventory and impact phases with respect to the study objectives" (Draft ISO 14040.2: Life Cycle Assessment - Principles and Guidelines). Aspects of LCA include:

[0189] Functional units define and qualify what is being studied, the process steps involved, specify appropriate inputs and outputs, and provide a basis for comparison between alternative fuels, fuel manufacturing processes, or feedstocks.

[0190] The system boundary defines which processes should be included in the analysis of a particular system: For the transportation of fuel, the most commonly used system boundary is called well-to-wheels, and it includes all steps of the extraction of raw materials, processing, transportation, storage, distribution network, and combustion in the car engine. A variation of the well-to-wheel system is "well-to-tank", which includes all steps of the well-to-wheel system except that the fuel is burned in the car engine.

[0191] · When one or several co-products are produced in a process together with the main product, an allocation method is used to allocate the emissions from the process. A specific example of an allocation method is the allocation performed in the well-to-tank analysis of biofuels, which analyzes the oilseed plant until the oil is extracted from the oilseed. In the BioGrace model adopted in this paper, the following fact is taken into account: the pressing of oilseeds not only produces oil (biofuel) but also a meal by-product rich in protein. Before processing the oilseeds into separated meal and oil fractions, an allocation factor is applied to all process emissions, which reflects the proportion of energy related to the oil part of the oilseed according to the lower heating value (LHV) of the oil. After the separation of oil and meal, all energy use and emissions are allocated to the oil, while the meal does not contribute.

[0192] In this paper, a low carbon intensity biofuel or low CI biofuel is a biofuel whose production, under one or more renewable fuel regulations, results in a lower carbon intensity than the corresponding petroleum-based fuel. For example, using the values ​​listed in Table 1 by DeJong et al., under EU-RED, a low CI biofuel would have a CI value of 83.8 g CO 2eq / MJ, and according to the US RFS, the CI value of low CI biodiesel will be 91.8g CO 2eq / MJ or less.

[0193] As used herein, a low GHG biofuel is a biofuel that produces lower GHG emissions than a corresponding fossil-based fuel, as determined using one or more LCA models, under one or more renewable fuel regulations.

[0194] In this article, macronutrients refer to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulfur (S). Nitrogen is the main component of amino acids, proteins and chlorophyll, and mainly promotes the growth of leaves and blades. Phosphorus in DNA / RNA polymers, nucleoside precursors and coenzymes, membrane phospholipids, etc. is required for the formation of roots and flowers, and the development and ripening of seeds and fruits. Potassium is an important regulator of water movement, expansion, flowering and fruiting.

[0195] In this article, manure is an organic matter mainly derived from animal feces, which can be used as fertilizer in agriculture. Manure enhances soil fertility by adding organic matter and nutrients such as nitrogen, which are utilized by bacteria, fungi and other organisms in the soil. Most animal manure consists of feces. A common form in animal manure is farmyard manure (FYM), which can include plant material (usually straw), which has been used as bedding for animals and has absorbed feces and urine. Manure from different animals has different qualities and needs different application amounts when used as fertilizer. For example, the content of nitrogen and potash is high in goat manure, and cattle manure is a good source of nitrogen and organic carbon. Nitrogen and phosphorus in chicken manure are all concentrated.

[0196] Maturity is defined as the stage at which pod seed filling is complete, the green color of the pods and seeds fades, and the moisture content of the seeds is below 9%. At this point, most, if not all, of the leaves have fallen, the stalks and stems have all turned yellow, and the plant is considered dead.

[0197] Micronutrients: In addition to the major macronutrients (N, P and K), small amounts of minor macronutrients, including calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S), and trace amounts of micronutrients (e.g., boron, copper, iron, manganese, zinc), can also contribute to optimal plant growth and yield.

[0198] N2O emissions: Managed agricultural soils can release nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas that is 265 times more active than CO2. N2O can be released directly or indirectly. Direct N2O emissions can result from nitrification and denitrification of soil nitrogen by microorganisms. Soil nitrogen can originate from the application of synthetic N fertilizers (urea, ammonia, or nitrate-based), the application of organic fertilizers (ground mulches, manure), natural animal or poultry waste (feces / urine), decomposition of plant / crop residues, and ongoing mineralization / demineralization of organic matter in the soil. Indirect N2O releases result from a multi-step process. The first step involves the emission of ammonia or nitrate / nitrite (NOx)-based gases to the atmosphere. These emissions can result from a variety of sources: direct volatilization of nitrogen-containing compounds from synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizers, or animal waste; burning of plant waste / crop debris; and burning of fuels for agricultural machinery. The second step involves the release of these atmospheric nitrogen compounds (ammonium, NO X ) is deposited by rainfall onto, for example, soil or water bodies, and the last step involves final conversion to N2O by denitrification / nitrification and emission to the atmosphere. Minor sources of indirect emissions of nitrous oxide, ammonium and NOx include leaching of nitrogen-based fertilizers, organic fertilizers or livestock waste from soil and into the groundwater table, which is then transferred to water bodies and can then be converted to N2O by denitrification / nitrification. BioGrace provides formulas for calculating the following, direct and indirect N2O emissions from agricultural land based on the total weight of synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizers, above-ground and below-ground biomass at harvest, based on the use of farmland fuels and the saturation of soil during the growing period. (And based on IPCC 2006, 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Program, Eggleston HS, Buendia L., Miwa K., Ngara T. and Tanabe K. (eds.). Published: IGES, Japan)

[0199] The seed pod is a specialized structure that contains the seed as it develops and matures into a grain. The seed pod protects the seed from the outside environment and provides energy and nutrients for the seed to develop. When the seed is fully mature, the seed pod becomes dry and brittle and has lost all of its chlorophyll, taking on a yellowish color. The seed pod then becomes easily cracked, and the structure physically opens up, allowing the mature seed (grain) to be released.

[0200] Sequential cropping is the practice of growing two or more crops sequentially on the same land during the farming year, allowing farmers to extend the use of the land by one season, the winter when crops are not normally grown. This allows farmers to earn additional income. Sequential cropping does not cause land use change because the land has already been cleared and put into agricultural production. In addition, using cover crops such as mustard as sequential crops allows farmers to benefit the soil during the fallow period and earn income from the sale of carinata grains.

[0201] Soil is composed of minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and various animal and plant organisms. Soil is created over time by the interaction of climate, geology, hydrology, and atmospheric pressure on the minerals that make up the Earth's crust. Given enough time, soil will form structurally or compositionally distinct layers or boundaries determined by the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay.

[0202] Soil Carbon: Soils contain carbon in both organic and inorganic (mineral) forms. The organic carbon fraction can consist of dead and decaying matter, or contain living plants, insects, fungi, or microorganisms. Standardized soil organic carbon stocks (SOC) can be estimated from the known carbon content of regional reference soil types modified by the regional climate (according to the climate classification scheme described earlier). ST Table 3 below is an extract from Table 1 of the EC document entitled COMMISSION DECISION of 10 June 2010 on guidelines for the calculation of land carbon stocks for the purpose of Annex V to Directive 2009 / 28 / EC, which summarizes the SOC of topsoil categories in a given climate region. ST Estimated values ​​(tons of carbon per hectare of soil at soil depths from 0 to 0.3 m)

[0203] Table 3: Topsoil SOC of mineral soil types in specific climate regions ST value

[0204]

[0205] Taking into account factors such as land use, land management and agricultural inputs, the soil organic carbon (SOC) value of cultivated land can be calculated (SOC = SOC ST ×F LU ×F MG ×F I , where SOC = soil organic carbon, expressed as the mass of carbon per hectare; SOC ST = Standard soil organic carbon in the 0-30 cm topsoil layer, expressed as mass of carbon per hectare, and determined by the above method; F LU = land use factor, reflecting the difference in soil organic carbon associated with land use type compared to the organic carbon in the standard soil; F MG = Management factor, reflecting the difference in soil organic carbon associated with principle management practices compared to standard soil organic carbon; F I = input factor, reflecting the difference in soil organic carbon associated with different levels of soil carbon input compared to the organic carbon in a standard soil). Table 4 is extracted from Table 2 of the EC document entitled: COMMISSION DECISION of 10 June 2010 on guidelines for the calculation of land carbon stocks for the purpose of Annex V to Directive 2009 / 28 / EC, which provides the F values ​​of crops grown in different climatic zones for specific land uses, land management practices and input application levels. LU Value, F MG Value F I value.

[0206] Table 4: F LU 、F MG and F I Value

[0207]

[0208] If changes are made to cultivation practices, land management practices, or inputs associated with a specific agricultural land base, and one wishes to understand the consequences for carbon stock changes, a reference scenario (SOC R ) and actual solutions (SOC A ) and use these values ​​and Formula E sca =-(SOC R -SOC A )*3.664 / 20 years, or tons of carbon (as CO2) / year in 20 years to calculate soil carbon accumulation (E sca ). If E scaA negative value indicates a loss of soil carbon, whereas a positive value indicates a net accumulation of soil carbon.

[0209] Soil classification: Soil classification is based on the World Reference Soil Bank (WRB), which proposes 30 "soil reference groups". These 30 reference soil types are distributed in 10 "sets" as described below.

[0210] Pool #1 includes all organic soils. Organic soils (Histosols) are soils that are generally rich in organic matter in various stages of decomposition and where long-term exposure to cold and / or wet conditions retards the decomposition rate. The remaining mineral soil groups are assigned to one of nine pools based on their most specific identifying factors, which are key to formation and differentiation.

[0211] Set #2 contains all types of mineral soils, which are particularly affected by humans. This set consists of one reference soil group: ANTHROSOLS.

[0212] Set #3 includes mineral soils, whose formation depends on the nature of their parent materials. The set includes three reference soil groups: ANDOSOLS with volcanic origin and regions; ARENOSOLS, sandy soils containing desert areas, beaches, inland dunes, etc.; and VERTISOLS, heavy clay soils in marshland, river banks and basins.

[0213] Collection #4 contains mineral soils whose formation and characteristics are influenced by their topographic / geographic or hydrological environment. This collection includes four reference soil groups:

[0214] ο Stratified FLUVISOLS are found in lowland and wetland areas;

[0215] ο Unstratified GLEYSOLS are usually found in waterlogged areas;

[0216] οLEPTOSOLS, shallow soils usually found in elevated areas on a rocky matrix; and

[0217] οREGOSOLS, deeper soils in elevated areas, occur on a gravelly base.

[0218] • Set #5 contains soils that are only moderately developed due to their relatively young soil age and therefore represents a fairly diverse reference soil group: CAMBISOLS.

[0219] Set #6 contains soils influenced by the climate of the subhumid tropical region. The six reference soil groups in this set have in common that long-term dissolution and transport of weathering products have produced deep and genetically mature soils:

[0220] οPLINTHOSOLS, composed of a mixture of clay and quartz ("hematite");

[0221] οFERRALSOLS, which have very low cation exchange capacity and do not have any weathering ingredients;

[0222] οALISOLS, rich in aluminum with high cation exchange capacity;

[0223] οNITISOLS, deep and red soils, high in iron;

[0224] ο ACRISOLS, high clay content and low fertility soils containing high concentrations of aluminum; and

[0225] οLIXISOLS, soils with low fertility, low cation exchange capacity but high alkaline saturation.

[0226] Collection #7 contains soils affected by arid and semi-arid climates. The five reference soil groups collected in Collection #7 are:

[0227] οSOLONCHAKS, with a high content of soluble salts,

[0228] οSOLONETZ, with a high percentage of adsorbed sodium ions,

[0229] οGYPSISOLS, with limits of secondary gypsum enrichment,

[0230] οDURISOLS, layers or aggregates of soil material having a silica bond, and

[0231] οCALCISOLS, with secondary carbonate enrichment.

[0232] Set #8 contains soils occurring in grassland regions between dry climates and humid temperate regions and includes three reference soil groups:

[0233] οCHERNOZEMS, with deep, very dark surface soils and carbonate enrichment in the subsoil,

[0234] ο KASTANOZEMS, with shallow, dark brown surface soils and some depth of carbonate and / or gypsum accumulation (these soils occur in the driest parts of the steppe zone), and

[0235] οPHAEOZEMS, dark red soils of steppe regions, have high alkaline saturation but no visible accumulation of secondary carbonates.

[0236] Collection #9 has dark brown and grey soils from moist temperate regions and contains five reference soil groups:

[0237] ο Acidic PODZOLS with a bleaching leaching layer on an organic matter accumulation layer containing aluminum and / or iron,

[0238] οPLANOSOLS, bleached topsoil on dense, slowly permeating subsoil

[0239] ο Alkali-poor ALBELUVISOLS with bleaching leaching into clay-rich subsoil,

[0240] ο Alkali-rich LUVISOLS with a unique clay accumulation layer, and

[0241] οUMBRISOLS, with a thick, dark, acidic surface layer rich in organic matter.

[0242] Collection #10 has soils from permafrost regions and is included in a reference soil group: CRYOSOLS.

[0243] In the decision of the European Commission of 10 June 2010, “on guidelines for the calculation of land carbon stocks for the purpose of Annex V to Directive 2009 / 28 / EC” ( http: / / eur-lex.europa.eu / legalcontent / EN / TXT / ?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_ .2010.151.01.0019.01.ENG) The 30 reference soil groups were further divided into six major soil types, including sandy soils (sandy soils), wetland soils (tephra soils), volcanic soils (tephra soils), ash soils (ash soils), low-activity clays (low cation exchange capacity or CEC), and high-activity clays (with high CEC).

[0244] Straw is defined as all above-ground plant parts (except grain) that are collected by the harvesting and combining processes and subsequently separated from the grain and then deposited back into the field.

[0245] Stubble is defined as the post-harvest residue remaining in the field, including material below the cutting point of the combine harvester, and that portion not collected for subsequent grain threshing and winnowing operations. In low-till or no-till soil management paradigms, much or all of the stubble is left in the field when the subsequent crop is sown. This requires specialized sowing equipment that can create an unobstructed path for the soil to make contact with the good seed in the middle of the stubble. This is particularly important in situations where the stubble may be particularly dense, such as in the stubble of a previous corn crop.

[0246] Varieties refer to plant taxonomic nomenclature, with varieties ranking below species and subspecies, while the legally defined term "variety" refers to commercial plant varieties protected under the terms outlined by the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, an international treaty administered by UPOV. The term "variety" (according to UPOV) describes a new, physically distinct, uniform and stable plant variety developed by a plant breeder. The latter definition gives breeders some protection and ownership rights to legal "varieties" in signatory countries of the treaty, as long as the above four criteria are met. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0247] Carbon emissions due to agronomic practices and land use changes contribute to the overall carbon intensity of the biofuel pathway. The present invention describes the use of Ethiopian mustard as a dedicated biofuel feedstock crop, and describes the relevant climate regions and rotational crops used in cultivation, as well as the relevant agronomic practices, to minimize carbon emissions during its growth period, even to the extent that the net carbon flux during cultivation and harvesting is conducive to a net reduction in CO2 levels in the atmosphere (i.e., negative carbon intensity).

[0248] The present invention has described the production of Ethiopian mustard, and the cultivation of described Ethiopian mustard crop can provide the function of low carbon intensity biofuel production raw material, and this point has not been proved in the past.Due to its unique growth habit and frost resistance, drought resistance and heat resistance ability, Ethiopian mustard provides these previously unknown advantages.In the present invention and embodiment and specification sheets of this paper, in many planting schemes of many production practices, as the selection of crop rotation, the practicality of Ethiopian mustard has been proved to be effective.The present invention provides some under optimal conditions, can realize the example of net negative total carbon intensity of production feedstock oil and meal, this can offset the carbon intensity produced in biofuel manufacturing and distribution process, and cause annual large amount of carbon per hectare to return in the soil.

[0249] B. rapa has a unique growth habit among oilseed crucifers, producing more branched mature plants than other Brassica oilseed species (Gesch et al., 2015). Comparison of the biomass of currently commercialized B. napus and B. rapa varieties revealed that B. rapa varieties accumulated 1.8 to 2 times more aboveground biomass per unit area than the most advanced commercial B. napus varieties. In the case of B. rapa, grain yields approach those of the most advanced canola-type B. napus varieties, but the production of aboveground biomass is almost twice as high (Gesch et al., 2015).

[0250] The deep and extensive root system of B. aethiopica can extend 60-90 cm below the soil surface, with more than 50% of the root mass located in the top 30 cm (see, e.g., Seepaul et al., 2016). The root system can penetrate compacted soil layers, improving soil structure in the process. The root system can absorb minerals and nutrients that would normally leach into the water table and make those nutrients available to subsequent crops in the rotation. Roots also account for a large portion of the total plant biomass—20-25% of the plant's aboveground biomass measured at maturity (Gan et al., 2009a)—and account for an additional pool of carbon that is returned to the soil after harvesting. Roots not only constitute a carbon pool, but also serve as conduits, and carbon-containing molecules can also be secreted into the environment at the root-soil interface. Carbon released from living root tissue, also known as rhizosphere deposition, occurs during plant growth and maturation and includes three sources of carbon deposition into the surrounding soil: carbon from shed root marginal cells, carbon from secreted mucilage, and small molecular carbon "exuded" by root cells, the latter representing an important source of rhizosphere deposition carbon (Nguyen, 2003). It is estimated that in a single growing season, the rhizomes of Brassica napus deposit nearly 350 kg / ha of carbon (Gan et al., 2009b).

[0251] It is estimated that the carbon content of Ethiopian mustard accounts for 45% to 47% of its dry weight of biomass (Gasol et al., 2007, Duca et al., 2015), and thus constitutes a large carbon pool that accumulates above and below ground during the growing season. When mature, the carinata grains are usually harvested by combine harvesting, which cuts and collects the above-ground plant material, which consists of stems and branches, and in which the pods are found. The seed pods are threshed, the grains are collected, and all the remaining material, including the now empty pods, stalks, branches and stems (collectively referred to as plant residues), is returned to the field, which, together with the remaining plant residues, can now potentially increase soil carbon levels through the decomposition of the residues by soil-borne bacteria, fungi and molds.

[0252] If one examines the production pathway for crop-based biofuels, the greatest scope for reducing carbon intensity lies in the production of the feedstock, particularly in the crop production phase. Given that crops absorb more CO2 than they release during their lifetime, it should be possible to make some improvements in cultivation practices to introduce negative carbon intensity at this stage of the pathway, which would have the effect of reducing the overall carbon intensity of the pathway.

[0253] There is considerable scope for reducing CO2 and GHG emissions during the cultivation, harvesting, storage, transportation, and processing of crops. For example, reducing inputs, particularly inorganic nitrogen fertilizers, can have a dramatic impact on carbon-based emissions, both by reducing emissions associated with fertilizer manufacturing and by reducing nitrogen in the soil, which, if present in excess of crop demand, can be released into the atmosphere as nitrous oxide, a GHG 265 times more potent than CO2. Although nitrogen is an essential nutrient for most annual crops, nitrogen application can be fine-tuned based on known crop requirements and determined pre-existing nitrogen levels in the soil. In addition, annual legume crops, which are known to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, could be used in rotations with other non-nitrogen-fixing crops to reduce the latter’s need for added nitrogen fertilizer.

[0254] Indirect land use change (ILUC) can also cause GHG emissions. ILUC is the result of increased land demand to accommodate the cultivation of new energy and feedstock crops, resulting in the replacement of food crop cultivation. In order to continue to meet the demand for the replaced food crops, new land needs to be found to replace the land currently used for feedstock production. This may involve the clearing of forests or grasslands, resulting in the release of large amounts of previously stable, sequestered CO2 and other GHGs in the process. Crops that can be successfully grown on underused marginal arable land, as cover crops or in rotation to replace fallow land will have great advantages in reducing ILUC potential as energy or feedstock crops.

[0255] Crop rotation is an important means to reduce GHG emissions, which reduces GHG emissions caused by ILUC by improving the efficiency of existing land use and reducing the demand for new agricultural land. Crop rotation also utilizes the beneficial relationship between complementary crop species to improve crop yield and productivity. For example, the subsequent crop of different species from the previous crop can prevent the long-term establishment or continuation of diseases that are specific and / or unique to the previous crop (i.e., the subsequent crop is used as a break crop). Subsequent crops can also replace fallow cycles and provide the advantages of cover crops-i.e., prevent soil erosion, help preserve moisture and recycle essential minerals and nutrients, and improve soil structure. Some crops, such as legume species, can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil and reduce the demand for external nitrogen fertilizers added by subsequent crops.

[0256] For example, crops of Brassica species can carry compounds with antimicrobial properties (i.e., glucosinolates) deep into the soil, which can protect subsequent crops from plant pathogens. Glucosinolates are a unique class of sulfur-containing compounds synthesized by cruciferous plants, and glucosinolates and their catabolites have effective antifungal and antimicrobial activity. Glucosinolates are synthesized in many plant compartments, including roots and the release of glucosinolates and their catabolites in root exudates. When used in crop rotation with cereal crops, the synthesis is believed to help provide effective disease control capabilities for Brassica oilseed crops. Therefore, the yield of crops grown in rotation can usually exceed that of monoculture crops, and the rotation using cover crops instead of winter fallow is more productive and sustainable than relying on fallow. For example, in survey data on wheat cultivation in Australia, Europe and North America, Angus and colleagues (Angus et al., 2011, Angus et al., 2015) pointed out that planting wheat after Brassica napus or Brassica juncea consistently increased subsequent wheat crop yields compared to planting wheat after wheat. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these are exemplary only and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention.

[0257] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a feedstock for preparing a low carbon intensity biofuel. In particular, the present invention describes a method for agricultural practices including land management practices to provide a feedstock for producing a low carbon intensity biofuel, which is the result of rotating the cultivation of Ethiopian mustard oilseed crops. It was discovered that the rotation sequence (covering the period when common cash crops are not planted) has a clear advantage when the CI and GHG emissions associated with its cultivation are evaluated according to various given CI and GHG assessment schemes.

[0258] For example, cultivation of Ethiopian mustard in winter in tropical and temperate climates has produced unexpected results, Ethiopian mustard grain has a good economic yield. In addition, cultivation of Ethiopian mustard in dryland fallow land has produced the unexpected result of successfully harvesting Ethiopian mustard grain, which provides a feedstock suitable for making advanced low-carbon intensity biofuels, such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) for the production of renewable diesel and jet fuel.

[0259] The present invention also provides agricultural methods that include rotation strategies and land management practices to reduce fossil fuel inputs and maximize atmospheric carbon capture during cultivation to produce Ethiopian mustard seeds for use in producing feedstocks that can be used to produce low carbon intensity biofuels and other products. These production practices and rotation strategies have not been previously described, and the low carbon intensity and low GHG profiles of the resulting harvests are neither obvious nor predictable.

[0260] The unique characteristics of the Ethiopian mustard varieties described herein, combined with specific land management practices, timing of rotation seasons, and preceding crops in the rotation, enable the production of feedstocks for the production of low carbon intensity biofuels and other renewable products.

[0261] The use of Ethiopian mustard seeds to produce a feedstock for low carbon intensity biofuel production also provides a plant-based meal or protein source as a by-product after oil recovery. It is noteworthy that the same GHG savings associated with the composition of oil in grains are also associated with meal or by-products of oil recovery. Therefore, the present invention provides a new feed additive rich in low GHG proteins, which is a practical product for more environmentally conscious use in livestock production. Therefore, the present invention describes a low GHG meal product for use as an animal feed additive.

[0262] In some embodiments of the invention, as a winter cover crop, Ethiopian mustard, which is rotated with summer crops such as beans, cotton, peanuts, or sesame, is grown in tropical and warm temperate climates, where it is common practice to leave the land fallow during the winter (Seepaul et al., 2015). This is the first example of a Brassica oilseed that provides consistent yields across geographic regions when planted in early to late November, and is made possible by the unique ability of established carinata to survive and recover after severe frosts, while other Brassica oilseeds such as canola cannot fully recover (Seepaul et al., 2015). Oilseeds such as soybeans are easily killed by frost (Hume and Jackson, 1981), so they cannot be considered as winter covers in this environment. In this environment, the benefits of using Ethiopian mustard as a cover crop include the ability to retain winter soil moisture and nutrients, mitigate the infiltration of nitrogen, phosphates and other nutrients into local waterways, and provide a means to increase soil organic carbon (Newman et al., 2010 (revised)). This introduces a new, viable winter oilseed cropping option that did not previously exist in the region, providing benefits in improved soil conditions and increased moisture for crops planted after the carinata harvest, and providing conditions for higher yields in subsequent crops. From a sustainability perspective, the cultivation of Ethiopian mustard as a winter cover will not necessarily replace food crop production; as the land was previously agricultural, there are no direct land use change consequences.

[0263] In other embodiments of the present invention, as part of crop rotation with summer and winter cereal crops (e.g., winter and summer wheat), Ethiopian mustard can be grown as a summer crop in semi-arid regions. Similarly, Ethiopian mustard can be cultivated in areas with high summer temperatures (average temperatures in July are 18-24°C) and limited total rainfall (below 200-500mm per year), and multi-year crop rotation is carried out in combination with legumes (e.g., peas, lentils, peanuts, and soybeans) and cereal crops (e.g., corn, wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt wheat). In the southern hemisphere, crops can be sown in moist soil in late autumn or early winter. In areas with higher rainfall, crops can be sown again until early spring.

[0264] Planting Brassica crops in rotation with cereal crops such as wheat has long been shown to be beneficial, as wheat is an important food crop suitable for production in semi-arid regions due to its short growing season and tolerance to extreme climates. Rotation with oilseed and forage Brassicas has long been shown to have a beneficial effect on subsequent cereal crop yields due to its effects on improving soil structure and water conservation, as well as its ability to break disease cycles that affect cereal performance (Angus et al., 2011). The ability to break cereal disease cycles stems from the lack of susceptibility of Brassicas to many cereal diseases, but may also stem from its ability to actively prevent the persistence of soil pathogens through the biofumigant activity of root exudates and residues (Kirkegaard and Sarwar, 1998). Ethiopian mustard is also suitable for protection or no-till paradigms, which can additionally conserve soil moisture and reduce the release of stable deposited organic carbon in disturbed soil layers. Again in semi-arid environments, the practice of the present invention will enable the sustainable production of biofuel feedstocks from non-food crops, or its cultivation as part of a rotation to replace fallow or implement on marginal lands. In both cases, direct or indirect land use changes due to cultivation of carinata in this environment would be minimal. Sequestration of atmospheric CO2 as soil organic carbon would further reduce GHG life cycle emissions and have the added benefit of providing conditions for increased yields of rotational food crops.

[0265] In other embodiments of the present invention, Ethiopian mustard can also be planted as a spring-sown, fall-harvested crop in northern temperate regions and as part of a rotation with summer and winter cereal crops, wherein Ethiopian mustard replaces the summer fallow after the harvest of the preceding winter cereal crop and sows the winter cereal after its harvest. Suitable cereal crops include wheat, barley, rye or oats. In addition to the benefits obtained by replacing fallow, the additional benefits of increased total yield and reduced direct and indirect land use changes mean that biofuels produced with second-generation (non-fuel) oilseed-based raw materials, such as carinata oil, can meet the EU's guidance on supporting second-generation raw materials, and its mandatory volume is obtained by recounting. Ethiopian mustard has a higher tolerance to early frost, and can better cope with higher heat and lower moisture during flowering and fruiting, and has the ability to resist lodging, so that it can better tolerate extreme weather in the early and late seasons (Seepaul et al., 2015), which is a more reliable oilseed crop choice for producers in semi-arid regions.

[0266] Similarly, Ethiopian mustard can be grown in areas with high summer temperatures (average July temperature of 18-24°C) and limited total rainfall (less than 200-500 mm per year) in multi-year rotations with pulses (e.g., peas, lentils, peanuts, and soybeans) and cereals (e.g., corn, wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt). In the southern hemisphere, the crop can be sown in moist soil in late autumn or early winter. In areas with higher rainfall, the crop can be sown in early spring.

[0267] Therefore, carinata can be cultivated in rotation with various summer or winter cereals, beans or other crops under various climatic conditions to produce oil seeds, which are used to produce oil raw materials for preparing biofuels and meal for livestock feed. The raw materials produced by cereals almost constitute the entire mass of seeds, and there is almost no waste generation. A large amount of plant residues left after the cereals are harvested return to the fields and increase soil organic carbon to a large extent, and reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere in the form of CO2. Increasing the carbon content in the soil improves soil structure, retains moisture and improves nutrient balance, which improves the growing conditions of subsequent crops. In addition, when rotating with other crops, carinata can provide disease interruption, which is conducive to the yield of subsequent crops. Carinata can also be sown directly in the stubble of the previous crop. This practice is known as conservation tillage or no-till agriculture, which preserves soil moisture in semi-arid areas, protects soil structure, and reduces the GHG produced by the use of fuel during the operation of tillage equipment. In summary, the cultivation of carinata provides feedstock for biofuel production in many production scenarios and geographical regions while providing measurable reductions in GHG emissions (as measured by various GHG audit models).

[0268] Based on its oilseed production, Ethiopian mustard not only provides a raw material for the production of potential alternatives to fossil fuels, but also, by increasing biomass production, can provide an effective mechanism to capture carbon and return it to the soil. Soils also constitute a potential reservoir for sequestering carbon and reducing emissions to the atmosphere. Among all carbon environmental reservoirs, the soil reservoir is second only to the ocean reservoir in size and is estimated to contain more than 2.3GT of organic carbon (Jobbagy and Jackson, 2000), which is more than 4 times the total carbon accumulation in plant biomass. In addition, due to factors such as intensive agriculture, deforestation, and erosion, the actual carbon storage of soil is relatively depleted relative to its maximum content. It is estimated that the increase in carbon sequestration in soil can exceed 50 to 100GT (Lal 2008a, Lal 2008b).

[0269] In one aspect of the invention, the Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of a harvested crop, with or without an intermediate fallow, so that the preceding crop itself is not the Ethiopian mustard, but is the last crop to be harvested before sowing carinata.

[0270] In one embodiment, the preceding crop is a legume crop, which may include the following annual crops: beans, peas, lentils, soybeans, peanuts or alfalfa. Since legumes have the ability to fix nitrogen in the atmosphere and increase the nitrogen content in the soil, they can be used for the selection of rotational crops. Oilseed crops such as Ethiopian mustard require a large amount of nitrogen to obtain maximum yield. In rotation, as a crop after legumes, Ethiopian mustard can utilize the nitrogen accumulated in the soil, thereby reducing the demand for nitrogen-containing fertilizers. It is well known that the production of amino fertilizers using methods such as the Haber method can cause significant emissions of CO2, which is the main co-product of the reaction. In addition, reducing the inorganic nitrogen fertilizer added externally can also reduce the emission of nitrous oxide in the soil produced by soil-derived bacteria and soil microbial flora activities. Nitrous oxide is an effective greenhouse gas, and one gram of nitrous oxide is equivalent to 265 grams of CO2, and nitrous oxide also greatly promotes the overall carbon intensity of plant-based biofuel pathways. A final benefit of carinata after legumes in the rotation is that the residues left after the legumes are harvested have a consistency that does not affect good contact between the carinata seeds and the soil, resulting in better emergence and establishment of the carinata crops and the ability to use and benefit from no-till or reduced-till agriculture.

[0271] In order to reduce the GHG produced by applying excessive inorganic nitrogen fertilizer, in one embodiment of the present invention, the land management practice includes reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer compared to the recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer for Ethiopian mustard under the growth environment. In some embodiments, the land management practice includes reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer to about 40% to about 100% of the recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer for Ethiopian mustard under the growth environment. In some embodiments, the land management practice includes reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer to about 40% to about 90% of the recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer for Ethiopian mustard under the growth environment. In other embodiments, the land management practice includes reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer to about 50% to about 70% of the recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer for Ethiopian mustard under the growth environment. For example, when it is found that the soil nitrogen level is high before planting Ethiopian mustard, for example, after harvesting legume crops, or when planting Ethiopian mustard after harvesting the first crop that has been applied with a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer, this practice of reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer will be beneficial.

[0272] In one embodiment of the present invention, in areas classified as tropical humid climates, with or without intermediate fallow, Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of harvested crops. According to the guidelines formulated by Directive 2009 / 28 / EC, tropical humid climates make it possible to have no frost in all months, the temperature in the ocean area is above 18°C, and it is mainly humid, and there are 3-5 months of time in winter that are drier. In some embodiments, Ethiopian mustard is planted in autumn or winter to harvest in spring or summer. In other embodiments, Ethiopian mustard is planted in spring or summer to harvest in autumn or winter. In some embodiments, the regional adaptability variety selected for one or more traits, from which Ethiopian mustard varieties are selected, and the traits are selected from high oil yield per unit planting area, shorter maturity time, enhanced frost resistance, enhanced disease resistance or pod crushing resistance.

[0273] In another embodiment of the invention, the Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of harvested crops with or without intermediate fallow in areas classified as having a warm temperate humid climate, which, as defined by Directive 2009 / 28 / EC, has moderate to high humidity throughout the year, no prominent dry season and a temperature of 10°C or higher for more than 8 months. In some embodiments, the Ethiopian mustard is planted in the fall or winter for harvesting in the spring or summer. In other embodiments, the Ethiopian mustard is planted in the spring or summer for harvesting in the fall or winter. In some embodiments, the regionally adapted varieties selected for one or more traits, from which the Ethiopian mustard variety is selected, are selected from high oil yield per unit area of ​​cultivation, shorter time to maturity, drought resistance, enhanced disease resistance or resistance to pod crushing.

[0274] Crop rotation scheme: The present invention can be carried out in many different climatic regions, wherein when Ethiopian mustard is planted in rotation with a first crop, Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of the harvested first crop. The season for planting or harvesting Ethiopian mustard may vary due to the geographical region and crop rotation practices of each region. As mentioned above, since brassica oilseed crops are not susceptible to infection and cannot serve as hosts, diseases can be temporarily and physically interrupted in the disease cycle affecting cereal crops, making those diseases unable to persist, so rotations including cereal crops and Brassica oilseed plants, such as Ethiopian mustard, can benefit the yield and quality of cereals. Toxic substances such as glucosinolates contained in the roots and harvest residues of Ethiopian mustard can also actively prevent the spread of pathogenic organisms in the soil.

[0275] Scheme A: In one embodiment of the present invention, with or without intermediate fallow, in regions classified as tropical humid climates, Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of harvested crops, and Ethiopian mustard is planted in the fall or winter for harvesting in the spring or early summer. In some embodiments, the harvested crops, such as legumes, include, but are not limited to, beans, peas, peanuts, lentils and soybeans. In other embodiments, the harvested crops are cereal crops, which include, but are not limited to, wheat, barley, rye, oats or corn. In other embodiments, the harvested crops are cotton or sesame.

[0276] Scheme B: In one embodiment of the present invention, with or without intermediate fallow, in regions classified as tropical humid climates, Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of harvested crops, and Ethiopian mustard is planted in the spring for harvesting in the summer or autumn. In some embodiments, the harvested crops such as legumes include, but are not limited to, peas, lentils and soybeans. In other embodiments, the harvested crops are cereal crops, which include, but are not limited to, wheat, barley, rye, oats or corn.

[0277] Scheme C: In one embodiment of the present invention, with or without intermediate fallow, in regions classified as warm temperate humid climates, Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of harvested crops, and Ethiopian mustard is planted in autumn or winter for harvesting in spring or summer. In some embodiments, the harvested crops such as legumes include, but are not limited to, peas, lentils and soybeans.

[0278] Scheme D: In one embodiment of the present invention, with or without intermediate fallow, in regions classified as warm temperate humid climates, Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of harvested crops, and Ethiopian mustard is planted in spring or summer for harvesting in autumn. In some embodiments, the harvested crops are cereal crops, including but not limited to wheat, barley, rye, oats or corn.

[0279] Scheme E: In one embodiment of the invention, with or without an intermediate fallow, in regions classified as warm temperate dry climates, Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of harvested cereal crops, with Ethiopian mustard planted in the fall or winter for harvesting in the spring or summer. In some embodiments, the harvested cereal crop is corn. In other embodiments, the harvested cereal crop is wheat.

[0280] Scheme F: In one embodiment of the invention, with or without an intermediate fallow, in regions classified as cool temperate dry climates, Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of harvested cereal crops, with Ethiopian mustard planted in the spring for harvest in the summer or fall. In some embodiments, the harvested cereal crop is corn. In other embodiments, the harvested cereal crop is wheat.

[0281] Scheme G: In one embodiment of the invention, with or without an intermediate fallow, in regions classified as cold temperate humid climates, Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of harvested cereal crops, with Ethiopian mustard being planted in the spring for harvest in the fall. In some embodiments, the harvested cereal crop is corn. In other embodiments, the harvested cereal crop is wheat.

[0282] Scheme H: In one embodiment of the invention, with or without an intermediate fallow, in regions classified as tropical dry climates, Ethiopian mustard is planted in the stubble of harvested cereal crops, with Ethiopian mustard planted in the fall or winter for harvesting in the spring or summer. In some embodiments, the harvested cereal crop is corn. In other embodiments,

[0283] The harvested cereal crop is wheat.

[0284] In any of the above embodiments and crop rotation schemes, the field may be subjected to reduced (medium) tillage, low tillage, or no-tillage prior to seeding. As is well known to those skilled in the art, seeding carinata into stubble, particularly cereal crop stubble, with no-till or low-tillage management practices will require the use of seeding practices and machinery designed to ensure consistent contact between the seed and the soil surface at an appropriate depth in the stubble. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that snow can further compact the soil, and as previously described, when low-till or no-tillage land management practices are unable to remove heavy cereal stubble or loosen compacted topsoil, then due care must be taken to seed carinata using appropriate methods and machinery to ensure consistent contact between the seed and the soil at an appropriate soil depth.

[0285] In any of the above embodiments and crop rotation schemes, the Ethiopian mustard is sown using a seed drill or similar equipment, the depth is set to 0.50 cm, 0.63 cm, 1.25 cm, 1.9 cm, 2.5 cm, 3.75 cm, or 5 cm, or any depth in between, and the sowing rate is 3.0 kg seeds / ha, 4.0 kg seeds / ha, 5.0 kg seeds / ha, 5.6 kg seeds / ha, 6.7 kg seeds / ha, 7.8 kg seeds / ha, 9.0 kg seeds / ha, 10.1 kg seeds / ha, 11.2 kg seeds / ha, or any ratio in between. The row spacing can be set to 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, or any distance in between. As is known to those skilled in the art, when low-till or no-till land management practices are not adequate to remove heavy cereal residues or loosen compacted topsoil, as previously discussed, then due care must be taken to sow carinata using appropriate methods and mechanical equipment to ensure consistent seed-to-soil contact at the appropriate soil depth.

[0286] In any of the above embodiments and crop rotation schemes, the inorganic (mineral) fertilizer can be applied by topdressing, side dressing, broadcasting or foliar application. In some embodiments, the inorganic (mineral) fertilizer comprises one or more of inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer, phosphorus fertilizer, potassium fertilizer and sulfur fertilizer. In some embodiments of the present invention: the application rate of inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer is 30kg / ha, 45kg / ha, 56kg / ha, 67kg / ha, 78kg / ha, 90kg / ha, 101kg / ha, 112kg / ha, 123kg / ha, 135kg / ha, 150kg / ha, 165kg / ha, or any ratio therebetween; the addition rate of phosphorus (P) fertilizer is 22, 34, 45 or 56kg equivalent of P2O5 per hectare, or any ratio therebetween; the addition rate of potassium (K) is 30, 45, 56, 67, 78, 90, 101 equivalent of K2O per hectare, or any ratio therebetween; and the addition rate of sulfur (S) fertilizer is 11kg / ha, 17kg / ha, 22kg / ha, 28kg / ha, 34kg / ha, 40kg / ha, or any ratio therebetween. In some embodiments, the inorganic N fertilizer and the S fertilizer are applied in discrete doses, half at planting and the other half before flowering, while the P and K fertilizers are applied once at planting. In fertile soils where the inorganic N fertilizer and S fertilizer are applied in discrete doses, one-quarter to one-third of the N fertilizer and one-third to one-half of the S fertilizer are added at planting, the remaining fertilizer is added at bolting, and the P and K fertilizers are added once at planting. In deep sandy soils, the fertilizers can be applied in three doses: one-third of the inorganic N fertilizer, half of the S fertilizer, half of the K fertilizer, and all of the P fertilizer are added at planting or when the plants first emerge; one-third of the inorganic N fertilizer and the remaining S and K fertilizers are added at bolting; and finally, the remaining N is added at the beginning of flowering.

[0287] In any of the above embodiments and crop rotation schemes, manure and / or organic fertilizers can be used to provide part or all of the nitrogen fertilizer required in the carinata cultivation process. Manure can be applied by broadcasting, banding, embedding or other methods known to those skilled in the art using a manure spreader, a lumpspreader, a tank wagon or other suitable equipment known to those skilled in the art. The manure can be one or more of poultry manure, cow manure, pig manure or other agricultural waste materials rich in nitrogen and other nutrients. As known to those skilled in the art, the amount of manure applied to the field will depend on the composition of the manure, particularly the nitrogen content. The typical use density of manure is 0.5-10 tons / ha, or any application rate between the two. For example, manure can be applied at a ratio of about 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 tons / ha. When using manure with such ratio, manure can provide about 20% to 100% of the nitrogenous fertilizer required for cultivating Ethiopian mustard, or any percentage between the two. For example manure can provide about 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 100% of the nitrogenous fertilizer required for cultivating Ethiopian mustard. In some embodiments, manure can provide about 30%-90% of the nitrogenous fertilizer required for cultivating Ethiopian mustard, or any percentage between the two. In other embodiments, manure can provide about 40%-80% of the nitrogenous fertilizer required for cultivating Ethiopian mustard, or any percentage between the two. In other embodiments, manure can provide about 50%-75% of the nitrogenous fertilizer required for cultivating Ethiopian mustard, or any percentage between the two.

[0288] Based on conservative estimates of yields of 2090 kg of grain per hectare (assuming an oil content of 43% w / w, equivalent to 899 kg of oil per hectare) for carinata production in semiarid regions of the United States in 2022, nutrient inputs of 45-90 kg / ha of inorganic N fertilizer, 17-34 kg / ha of P fertilizer, 0-11 kg / ha of K fertilizer, 3.1 kg / ha of pesticides, and 32.7 L / ha of diesel, and assuming that GHG emissions associated with crushing, oil storage and transportation, biofuel manufacturing, and biofuel distribution are roughly equivalent to those associated with soybean and flax. With respect to GHG emissions, EPA estimates that the total GHG emissions reductions from the hypothetical carinata pathway for the production of biomass biodiesel or advanced fuels such as HVO would allow producers to receive Category 4 or 5 RIN credits (EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0093–; FRL–9926–80–OAR; Notice of Comments on the Opportunity to Analyze Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Production and Transportation of Ethiopian Mustard Oil for Biofuel Production. Federal Register, Vol. 80, No. 79, Friday, April 24, 2015, pp. 22996–23003; https: / / www.gpo.gov / fdsys / pkg / FR-2015-04-24 / pdf / 2015-09618.pdf Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, carinata represents a non-food, oilseed crop that can be cultivated in semi-arid environments to provide an optimal biofuel feedstock and significantly reduce GHG emissions while improving soil quality, thereby increasing the yield of subsequent food crops.

[0289] When grown under any of the above embodiments or crop rotations, the Ethiopian mustard can sequester about 0.5 to about 5 tons of CO2 per hectare per year, or any amount therebetween, into the soil. For example, under any of the above embodiments or crop rotations, the growth of the Ethiopian mustard can sequester 0.5, 1.0., 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, or 5.0 tons of CO2 per hectare per year, or any amount therebetween, into the soil.

[0290] In any of the above embodiments or crop rotation schemes, the feedstock produced from the Ethiopian mustard grains harvested from the Ethiopian mustard can be used to produce a low carbon intensity (low CI) biofuel, such as biodiesel or jet fuel. In some embodiments, the carbon intensity value of the low CI biofuel produced is reduced by at least 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200 g CO2 or more relative to the carbon intensity value of the corresponding conventional fuel produced from the fossil fuel feedstock. 2eq In other embodiments, the carbon intensity value of the low carbon intensity biofuel produced is reduced by about 50 to 200 gCO2 relative to the carbon intensity value of the corresponding fuel produced from the fossil fuel feedstock. 2eq / MJ energy, or any amount therebetween. In other embodiments, the carbon intensity value of the low carbon intensity biofuel produced is reduced by about 75 to about 200 g CO relative to the carbon intensity value of the corresponding fuel produced from the fossil fuel feedstock. 2eq / MJ energy, or any amount therebetween. In other embodiments, the carbon intensity value of the low carbon intensity biofuel produced is reduced by 100-200 g CO relative to the carbon intensity value of the corresponding fuel produced from the fossil fuel feedstock. 2eq / MJ energy, or any amount in between.

[0291] Similarly, when used in the production of green (renewable) diesel, and when relative GHG production is measured during the extraction and production of conventional diesel from fossil fuel feedstocks, the growth of Ethiopian mustard can reduce GHG life cycle emissions by about 60-400%, or any percentage therebetween, under any of the above embodiments or crop rotation schemes. For example, when used in the production of green (renewable) diesel, and when relative GHG production is measured during the extraction and production of conventional diesel from fossil fuel feedstocks, the growth of Ethiopian mustard can reduce GHG life cycle emissions by about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%, 200%, 225%, 250%, 275%, 300%, 325%, 350%, 375% or 400%, under any of the above embodiments or crop rotation schemes. In some embodiments or crop rotation schemes, the growth of Ethiopian mustard can reduce GHG life cycle emissions by about 75-300%, or any percentage therebetween, when used in the production of green (renewable) diesel and when measured relative to GHG production during the extraction and production of conventional diesel from fossil fuel feedstocks. In some embodiments or crop rotation schemes, the growth of Ethiopian mustard can reduce GHG life cycle emissions by about 90-250%, or any percentage therebetween, when used in the production of green (renewable) diesel and when measured relative to GHG production during the extraction and production of conventional diesel from fossil fuel feedstocks.

[0292] Examples

[0293] Example 1: Growth of B. japonica sequentially after peanut as a winter cover rotation crop.

[0294] This example illustrates the cultivation of Ethiopian mustard as a cover crop in a tropical humid climate region for the production of raw materials for the preparation of low carbon intensity biofuels and protein-rich meal for livestock feed. As an example of cultivation in this region, Ethiopian mustard was used as a winter cover crop, replacing fallow, and was cultivated in two farms in the southeastern United States (North Florida) in the winter of 2015-2016. Farm 1 is located near Jay, Florida, and Farm 2 is located near Altha, Florida. The previous crop cultivated in the two farms was peanuts of the legume crop species.

[0295] Table 5 summarizes how the cultivation of carinata crops was conducted on each farm. The two farms are located in northern Florida, which is classified as a tropical humid region as described above and in Table 2. The soils in the northern Florida region (where the two farms are located) have been classified as low activity strongly acid soils, which falls into group #6 in the soil classification defined above.

[0296] Prepare the field for seeding using no-till management methods. Seed with Ethiopian mustard AAC-A120 at a density and depth within the optimal range recommended for the region in the Agrisoma 2015 grower guide ( https: / / agrisoma.com / ckfinder / userfiles / files / 2017_18_SE_Handbook.pdf ). The inputs used on both farms (listed in Table 5) were also within the recommended range provided in the grower's manual. In order to most accurately assess the total GHG emissions associated with carinata cultivation, farm managers recorded the fuel consumption of all farm machinery used during the cultivation and harvesting of carinata crops (listed in Table 5). All irrigation was achieved through natural precipitation, so no supplementary irrigation was required or used. At maturity, the seeds were harvested by direct cutting with a combine harvester, and almost all plant material, except for the collected grain, was returned to the field. Table 5 lists the net yield and yield per hectare (at 10% moisture content) of carinata grain harvested on the two farms.

[0297] Table 5: Carinata cultivation details (Farm 1 and Farm 2)

[0298]

[0299] Example 2: Growth of B. japonica as a winter cover sequentially after a cereal crop (corn) in a tropical humid climate (Florida / southeastern United States).

[0300] This example illustrates the cultivation of carinata as a cover crop in a tropical humid climate region for the production of a feedstock for the preparation of biofuels and a protein-rich meal for livestock feed. Carinata was cultivated as a winter cover crop, instead of winter fallow, on farms in the southeastern United States (North Florida) during the winter of 2015-2016. The preceding crop cultivated was corn (an example of a cereal crop species), and unlike previous practice, the harvest residues of the preceding corn crop were not incorporated by tillage. Table 6 summarizes the details of the cultivation of carinata in the tropical humid climate region described above and in Table 2. The soil in the area north of Florida is a sandy soil type (see set SET#3 for the definition of soil classification above).

[0301] Table 6: Carinata cultivation details

[0302]

[0303] In the above environment, Ethiopian mustard is sown into the stubble of the previous maize crop in mid-to-late November, typically at a depth of 1.2-2.5 cm. Currently, two inbred open-pollinated carinata varieties, Resonance AAC-A120 (currently protected under Canadian Plant Breeders' Rights Provisional Protection, Application No. 15-8718) or Avanza 641 (WO 2017 / 181276A) are recommended for use in this growing environment, the latter variety being selected based on regional adaptability, high yield, low glucosinolate content and enhanced frost resistance. The seeding rate was adjusted to 4 kg / ha to achieve an optimal density of 80-180 plants per square meter. The inputs used are as described in Table 6 and include recommended amounts of inorganic nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus-based fertilizers. Sandy soils are moderately acidic and require the addition of dolomitic lime (CaO). The application rate of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer was 141.1kg / ha, which, although higher than is usually recommended for carinata, is still appropriate for sandy soils in humid tropical environments where nitrogen tends to leach from the root zone where it can.

[0304] To most accurately assess total GHG emissions from cultivation, fuel consumption was recorded for all motorized farms used during the cultivation and harvesting of the carinata crop. All irrigation was achieved by precipitation, so supplemental irrigation was not required or used. As a winter cover crop grown under short-day conditions, Ethiopian mustard takes a little more than 5 months to mature, and when it matures, carinata is harvested by direct cutting by a combine harvester. The grain is collected, and almost all plant material, except for the collected grain, is returned to the field. Table 6 lists the grain yield (at 10% moisture content) and cumulative fuel use per hectare.

[0305] Example 3: Growth of B. aethiopica as a summer cover after a legume crop (lentil) in a cold temperate dry climate (NT).

[0306] This example illustrates the cultivation of carinata as a summer cover crop for the production of raw materials for the preparation of biofuels and protein-rich meal for livestock feed. With Ethiopian mustard as a summer cover crop, Ethiopian mustard was planted in the stubble of a previous lentil crop in the cold temperate dry climate zone of the northern United States and the southern Canadian prairies. Table 7 summarizes the details of the cultivation, which was carried out in the regions classified as cold temperate dry climates above and in Table 2. Examples of such regions include the southern prairies of the northern U.S. states and western Canada. The soils in these regions are classified as highly reactive clays (Commission Decision of June 2010 on guidelines for the calculation of land carbon stocks for the purpose of Annex V to Directive 2009 / 28 / EC). The legume lentil is an increasingly important crop in these regions, and is often grown in rotation with cereal crops such as wheat and / or Brassica oilseed plants.

[0307] In these environments, Ethiopian mustard is sown into the stubble of the previous lentil crop, usually at a depth of 1.25-2.5 cm, in mid-April to early May, when soil temperatures are usually above 4-5°C. Currently, two inbred open-pollinated carinata varieties, Resonance AAC-A120 (protected by Canadian plant breeders' rights, application date April 9, 2015, application number 15-8718) and 3A22 (U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 326111 filed April 22, 2016 and PCT International Application No. PCT / CA2017 / 050474 filed April 18, 2017) are recommended for use in this growing environment, the latter variety being selected based on regional adaptability, high yield, low glucosinolate content and early maturity. The seeding rate is adjusted to achieve a density of 80-180 plants per square meter, corresponding to a seeding rate of 5-9 kg / ha. Inputs are as described in Table 7 and include recommended amounts of inorganic nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus based fertilizers. Soil pH in these areas is usually 7.0 or higher, so dolomitic lime applications are not required. Although the recommended dose of inorganic nitrogen is 90 kg / ha, it may be possible to reduce the amount of nitrogen added for subsequent crops because the ability of lentil roots to fix atmospheric nitrogen will increase soil nitrogen levels. Therefore, Table 7 lists two cultivation schemes that differ only in the amount of inorganic nitrogen added: one (Scheme 1) has the normal recommended dose, while the other (Scheme 2) has the inorganic nitrogen application rate halved to utilize the nitrogen provided by the previous lentil crop.

[0308] Table 7: Carinata cultivation details

[0309]

[0310] In order to most accurately assess the total amount of cultivation-related GHG emissions during the cultivation process, all agricultural machinery and mechanical equipment used at various stages of cultivating and harvesting carinata crops, as well as the amount of diesel used during operation, were recorded. For this reason, the default diesel usage was 1000MJ / ha, which represents a high utilization rate of motorized agricultural machinery. All irrigation was achieved through natural precipitation, and no supplementary irrigation was required or used. As a summer cover crop, Ethiopian mustard usually matures within 4 months and is harvested by direct cutting by a combine harvester when it matures. The grains are collected, and almost all plant materials, except for the collected grains, are returned to the field. Table 7 lists the net yield and yield per hectare (moisture content is 10%) of harvested carinata grains in two nitrogen utilization scenarios.

[0311] Example 4: Growth of B. aethiopica as a winter cover sequentially after a legume crop (soybean) in a warm temperate humid climate (Uruguay).

[0312] This example illustrates the use of Ethiopian mustard as a winter cover crop instead of fallow sequential cultivation for the production of raw materials for the preparation of biofuels and protein-rich meal for livestock feed. Ethiopian mustard was planted in the stubble of a preceding soybean crop in the warm temperate humid climate of Uruguay as a winter cover crop. Table 8 summarizes the details of the cultivation in the winter of 2015 in the areas classified as warm temperate humid climates above and in Table 2. Examples of such areas include many arable lands in Uruguay. The soils in these areas are classified as highly reactive clays (Commission Decision of June 2010 on guidelines for the calculation of landcarbon stocks for the purpose of Annex V to Directive 2009 / 28 / EC;). The legume species lentil is an increasingly important crop in these areas, and is often grown in rotation with cereal crops such as wheat and / or Brassica oilseed plants.

[0313] Table 8: Carinata cultivation details

[0314]

[0315] In mid- to late-May, carinata was sown sequentially at depths of 1.25-2.5 cm in the stubble of the previous soybean crop on 17 farms in Uruguay, covering more than 2400 hectares. Two inbred open-pollinated carinata varieties, Resonance AAC-A120 (currently protected by Canadian Plant Breeders' Rights Provisional Protection, Application No. 15-8718) and Avanza 641 (US Plant Variety Patent Application Pending), were recommended for use in this growing environment, with the latter variety selected based on regional adaptability, high yield, low glucosinolate content, frost resistance, and early maturity. Table 8 lists the average seeding rate, average input level, and average yield for all farms. Seeding rates were adjusted to achieve optimal plant density, corresponding to an average seeding rate of 7 kg / ha. Inputs were as described in Table 8 and included averages of inorganic nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium (lime)-based fertilizers used across all farms. Soil pH in these areas is typically moderately acidic, with a pH as low as 5.7, so dolomitic lime was applied to reduce the acidity of the soil. Based on the results of the soil nitrogen analysis, an average of 59.7 kg / ha of nitrogen was used over the season. This is below the recommended level of nitrogen application (90 kg / ha) but reflects pre-existing soil nitrogen levels, which may be the result of the previous legume crop. Table 8 also lists the average level of pesticide use (including pesticides, herbicides and fungicides) across all farms. Since the preparation of these products consumes energy and thus contributes to GHG emissions, the BioGrace model determines the level of CO2 equivalent emissions contributed by these products and incorporates them into the total emissions during the cultivation phase.

[0316] As previously mentioned, in order to most accurately assess the total GHG emissions associated with the cultivation of carinata, all farm implements and machinery used to cultivate and harvest the carinata crop were recorded, as well as the amount of diesel used during operation. The average diesel fuel consumption across all farms was 277 MJ of diesel per hectare. All irrigation was achieved through precipitation, and no supplemental irrigation was required or used. As a winter cover crop grown under short-day conditions, Ethiopian mustard matures in 5-6 months (1-2 months longer than required for summer cultivation conditions), and at maturity, carinata is harvested by direct cutting with a combine harvester. The grain is collected, and almost all plant material, except for the collected grain, is returned to the field. Table 8 presents the net yield and yield per hectare (at 10% moisture content) of the harvested carinata grain.

[0317] Compared with other oilseed crops cultivated in Uruguay, Ethiopian mustard produces both high yield and high biomass. In a study conducted in Uruguay in 2016, Ethiopian mustard variety Avanza 641 was sown in triplicate plots under identical conditions and sown next to several current open-pollinated varieties and hybrid spring canola commercial rapeseed varieties. The plots were tested for plant density, silique density, above-ground biomass at harvest, grain yield at harvest, and harvest index during cultivation. The data are summarized in Table 9.

[0318] Table 9: Grain yield and biomass of Avanza 641 grown in parallel with hybrid canola varieties

[0319]

[0320] The least square means (LSM) of the replicate samples were calculated and the means were compared using Tukey's test to determine if any significant differences were observed between the varieties tested (see Table 10). The LSM values ​​with the same sign for each measurement were not significantly different.

[0321] Table 10: Grain yield and biomass accumulation of Avanza 641 compared to canola hybrids

[0322]

[0323] It can be seen that under the cultivation conditions adopted by these Uruguayan research institutes, the yield of Ethiopian mustard is obviously very high, even the latest hybrid spring canola varieties. What contributes to this yield advantage is the traits such as silique density and plant density, and these two traits of Ethiopian mustard AVANZA 641 are obviously higher. Previous work has proved that the aboveground biomass produced by the Ethiopian mustard varieties planted in spring is higher than other Brassica oilseed species in the northern line of the United States (Gesch et al., 2015). The results provided herein prove that the Ethiopian mustard varieties selected for short-day winter cultivation produce aboveground biomass significantly higher than other commercial Brassica oilseed crops, while maintaining the potential for high yield. If the generation of a large amount of biomass is managed together with land management practices (such as returning harvest residues to the field, conservation tillage, keeping stubble), plant nutrients and carbon can be returned to the soil in large quantities (see below).

[0324] Example 5: B. aethiopica was grown sequentially after a cereal crop (wheat) as a winter cover crop in New South Wales.

[0325] This example illustrates the cultivation of carinata as a cover crop in warm temperate dry and tropical dry climate regions (represented by the wheat-producing areas of New South Wales in eastern Australia) for the production of raw materials for the preparation of biofuels and protein-rich meal for livestock feed. Here, in order to take advantage of the increased moisture provided by winter, Brassica oilseed plants (mainly canola-type varieties) are sown in the fall, grown over the winter and harvested in the spring or early summer after a growing season of 5-7 months. In a similar manner, Ethiopian mustard is cultivated as a winter cover crop in farms in sub-regions with relatively high winter precipitation, which is subsequently cultivated instead of winter fallow. The previous crop cultivated is wheat (an example of a cereal crop species), and contrary to previous practices, the harvest residues of the previous crop are not incorporated by tillage. Table 11 summarizes the details of the cultivation of carinata, which is cultivated in the warm temperate dry climate region described above and in Table 2. Most soils in this area are classified as Luvisol, Vertisol, or Calcisol, described in Set #9, Set #3, and Set #7, respectively, in the soil classification definitions above.

[0326] In the above embodiment, Ethiopian mustard was sequentially sown into the stubble of the previous wheat crop in mid-to-late April to the end of May, usually at a depth of 1.25-2.5 cm. The sowing rate was adjusted to 5 kg / ha to achieve an optimal plant density of 80-180 plants per square meter. The inputs used were as described in Table 11 and included recommended amounts of inorganic nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus-based fertilizers. 110 kg / ha of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer was used, which is higher than the usual recommended amount for carinata, but is suitable for sandy soils in humid tropical environments where nitrogen tends to leach from the root zone.

[0327] Table 11: Carinata cultivation details

[0328]

[0329]

[0330] Example 6: GHG reduction of low CI biofuel using feedstock produced from Ethiopian mustard planted sequentially in rotation after peanut as a winter cover.

[0331] To calculate the GHG footprint of the carinata cultivation in the carinata cultivation example described in Example 1, the BioGrace v 1.4 model (http: / / www.Biograce.net) was used. The model follows the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive (2009 / 28 / EC, RED), which is also stated in the Fuel Quality Directive (2009 / 30 / EC). The calculations in the BioGrace Excel tool evaluate the GHG emissions of 1 MJ of fuel from a life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective. This means that:

[0332] The functional unit is "production and use of 1 MJ of fuel".

[0333] All life cycle steps from biomass production to fuel distribution are considered (see Table 12) and displayed in a calculation table with a dedicated module representing a step in the biofuel pathway. For biofuels, the use phase does not generate GHG emissions, as the CO2 emitted is biogenic (CH4 produced during combustion is insignificant).

[0334] The module collects the consumption of inputs and calculates the emissions of the three main gases that contribute to climate change (CO2, CH4 and N2O). Details of the contribution of each gas are shown in the last step of the calculation. The sum of all three gases is expressed as the equivalent CO2 (CO 2eq )(g CO 2eq / MJ produced HVO fuel).

[0335] • The GHG emissions of each module are then summed up to obtain the GHG emissions of the entire pathway.

[0336] However, for the purposes of this example, the BioGrace model was used to consider only the GHG emissions from the cultivation phase of the carinata-based biofuel pathway, including the harvesting, drying, and transportation of the grain to storage sites, even though the feedstock produced would be used primarily for HVO production (used due to the reduction of fuel substitutes in transportation and aviation fuel applications), to establish the potential for carinata cultivation under conditions where carinata is used as a winter cover instead of fallow and a subsequent legume crop (peanut) is cultivated in tropical humid climate regions, reducing the carbon intensity of the associated fuel pathway. However, in order to consistently estimate GHG emissions in a manner that considers functional units, the HVO yield for the simplified pathway was assumed to be 0.58 MJ HVO / MJ of carinata seeds. Figure 1Figure 2 shows the steps for producing HVO from cultivated B. catinata oil within the “well to tank” system boundaries of the BioGrace GHG Emissions Calculator. The partition factor for the first three steps is 0.613 for B. catinata oil.

[0337] GHG emissions from inputs and fuels used during cultivation can be estimated by multiplying the amount of input or feedstock used by an appropriate emission factor, similar to the data provided in the BioGrace spreadsheet. Emissions from fuel used in the transportation of seeds, oils or fuels can be calculated by multiplying the distance travelled and the fuel efficiency of the specific mode of transport (e.g. rail, road or ocean vessel) by a similar emission factor for the appropriate fuel type.

[0338] The lower calorific value is expressed in MJ / kg and is obtained from the table containing such values ​​in the accompanying BioGrace spreadsheet. The lower calorific value is used to determine the energy content of grains, oils, meals at various stages in the pathway and can be converted into MJ per MJ of HVO, taking into account the functional units.

[0339] Diesel used to fuel tractors and farm equipment during carinata cultivation (for field preparation, sowing, application of inputs, and harvesting) and electrical energy used to dry harvested carinata grain also contribute to pathway GHG emissions, which are also considered as part of the cultivation phase.

[0340] GHG emissions from fuels used during cultivation can be estimated by multiplying the amount of fuel used by a suitable emission factor, similar to the data provided in the BioGrace spreadsheet.

[0341] The preparation of inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides used in crop cultivation has associated emissions that must be included as part of the life cycle GHG emissions of the biofuel production pathway; these are estimated based on the amounts of inputs used in crop cultivation and the default emission factors available for the relevant input preparation processes (g GHG produced / kg input) (JECE3-Database; version 31-7-2008). There is an additional source of emissions from the cultivation process that needs to be considered, and that is nitrous oxide (N2O) emitted from fields, a greenhouse gas 265 times more potent than CO2. These field emissions are further divided into three additional categories: direct N2O emissions from fields, indirect N2O emissions due to leaching and runoff, and indirect N2O emissions due to volatilization of NH3 and NOx. Field emissions are the result of the decomposition or combustion of organic matter originating from crop residues, as well as the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers themselves, and are the module for estimating N2O emissions in the BioGrace spreadsheet (as described in the Definitions section of this application).

[0342] The transportation of grain to collection and storage points maintained by commercial grain operators is also a potential source of GHG emissions. The nature of the transportation, fuel used during transportation, and distance traveled were recorded and used to determine net GHG emissions (Table 12). For the purposes of this example, only the transportation of grain to local storage is considered.

[0343] Table 12: Transportation of grain, oil and fuel

[0344]

[0345] All emissions listed for the cultivation, drying and transport phases were added together to arrive at a total emission value for the cultivation phase (see Table 13 for emissions from Farm 1 during the cultivation phase and Table 14 for emissions from Farm 2 during the cultivation phase). For the cultivation of carinata and subsequent transport of the grain to a local grain operator’s storage facility, an allocation factor was applied to the emissions to account for the fact that the carinata oil fraction accounted for 63% of the seed energy and was the only seed fraction processed into HVO. Therefore, emissions generated until the oil was processed into HVO were multiplied by the allocation factor.

[0346] Table 13: Emissions from cultivation of carinata (Farm 1 of Example 1)

[0347]

[0348] Table 14: Emissions from cultivation of carinata (Farm 2 of Example 1)

[0349]

[0350] The BioGrace model takes into account an additional factor in calculating net GHG emissions—the expected reduction in GHG emissions that would result from adopting improved land management practices when growing bioenergy crops relative to a baseline state. The reduction in emissions is called E sca , assuming that improved land management practices lead to increased carbon sequestration on managed lands, thus offsetting a portion of the emissions generated during the cultivation, processing, and transportation stages of this pathway. In the specific case of cultivated carinata described here, additional emission reductions can be expected due to the switch from full tillage to no tillage and the replacement of fallow with ground cover crops, which return a high proportion of their biomass to the soil at harvest. Based on these improvements (see E in Table 15 sca The BioGrace model quantifies and allocates E in tons of CO2 / ha / year returned to the soil. sca This was then converted to tons of CO2 returned to the soil per MJ of HVO biofuel produced, which served to reduce the net emissions of the entire pathway (see Tables 16 and 17).

[0351] As can be seen from the cultivation of carinata on Farm 1, CO2-equivalent emissions per MJ of HVO produced are negative (-35.6 tonnes CO2-equivalent / MJ of HVO produced) when only the cultivation phase of the HVO production pathway is considered, which represents a net reduction in atmospheric GHG levels per unit of fuel produced by the cultivation of carinata under the cultivation conditions of Farm 1. On Farm 2, CO2-equivalent emissions per MJ of HVO produced are also negative: -17.6 tonnes CO2-equivalent / MJ of HVO produced. Factors contributing to the greater reduction in emissions experienced by Farm 1 include: a) less use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers, which reduces field GHG emissions and life cycle emissions associated with nitrogen fertilizer preparation; and b) less fuel use for agricultural equipment used during cultivation, despite the fact that the number of hectares cultivated is higher.

[0352] Table 15: Improved land management (Farms 1 and 2)

[0353]

[0354] Table 16: Emissions from carinata cultivation (from Farm 1 of Example 1)

[0355]

[0356] *Numbers in brackets are negative

[0357] Table 17: Emissions from Carinata cultivation (from Farm 2 of Example 1)

[0358]

[0359] *Numbers in brackets are negative

[0360] Example 7: Growing carinata sequentially as a winter cover in a rotation crop after peanut, using carinata to produce feedstock, reduces GHGs associated with the entire HVO production pathway.

[0361] This example illustrates the reduction of GHG emissions from the entire HVO production pathway achieved by using carinata-derived feedstock, grown sequentially after a legume crop (peanut) is planted in a tropical humid climate region. As described in the previous example, Ethiopian mustard was planted as a winter cover crop, replacing the winter fallow, on two farms in the southeastern United States during the winter of 2015-2016. The preceding crop planted on both farms was peanut, a legume crop species. Unlike conventional practice, peanut residues were not incorporated through post-harvest tillage, but rather peanut crop residues were left in the field through no-till management.

[0362] To calculate the GHG footprint of carinata cultivation in these examples, the BioGrace v1.4 model (http: / / www.Biograce.net) was used as described above. Table 18 summarizes the relevant modules of the BioGrace V1.4 model that account for all relevant emissions generated by the HVO biofuel production (well to tank) pathway. In the examples described herein, unlike the previous examples that only considered cultivation emissions, all of the emission sources listed above were considered.

[0363] For the cultivation stage, emissions from preparing seeds and fields, direct and indirect emissions from the application of inputs, emissions from agricultural equipment used for sowing, application of inputs, harvesting, etc., emissions from energy use associated with grain drying, and emissions from N2O release from fields are described in the previous example (Example 6) and summarized in Tables 13 and 14.

[0364] Table 18: GHG emission sources considered in the BioGrace 1.4 model

[0365]

[0366] For the processing stages including oil recovery and processing to biofuels, the production of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) has been selected as the most likely end use for the carinata feedstock. In the pressing and oil recovery stages, electricity used to operate the thrusters and press line equipment and natural gas boiler steam heating are the main GHG emission sources considered in the LCA model. Chemicals used to recover oil from the meal (e.g., hexane) and chemicals used for degumming and refining of the recovered oil (e.g., NaOH and phosphoric acid) also contribute to life cycle GHGs and should also be considered. To process the oil into HVO, electricity and natural gas steam generation are the main energy sources that contribute to GHG emissions, as is the hydrogen used in the hydroprocessing process itself. In general, default emission values ​​are used for these processing stages as they are well-established processes that do not result in significant changes. The carinata pathway uses existing default values ​​for rapeseed oil recovery and hydroprocessing as no significant differences are expected whether used for rapeseed or carinata. Table 19 summarizes the emissions from the processing stages. Although the total amount of oil produced and processed was different (grain production was different), because these emissions were normalized to the total amount of HVO produced by each farm, the normalized processing emissions were equal to each farm's grain output.

[0367] Table 19: Emissions from processing carinata grains into low carbon intensity biofuels

[0368]

[0369] For transportation-related emissions, the distance between the farm gate, the nearest grain elevator, the crushing plant, the HVO biofuel refinery, and the gas station is used to estimate the transportation fuel demand. The power generation cost of the storage facility is based on the amount of feedstock and biofuel, which in turn is calculated from the yield of the grain. In a specific embodiment, grain grown on farms in northern Florida and southern Georgia is transported to one of three collection points and then trucked to the Port of Tampa, where the grain is collected and loaded into the cargo hold of an ocean freighter. The grain is transported at sea to Rouen, France, and then trucked to Grande Currone for crushing. The vegetable oil is then trucked to Antwerp, Belgium for storage and then trucked to the refinery in Donges, France, for conversion into fuel via HVO processing. The transportation distances and fuels used during transportation for Farm 1 (Table 21) and Farm 2 (Table 22) (summarized in Table 20) are used to determine the emissions generated during the transportation phase.

[0370] For the cultivation phase, transportation of carinata grains to the mill, oilseed crushing and oil recovery steps, an allocation factor was applied to emissions to account for the fact that the carinata oil fraction accounts for 63% of the seed energy and that the carinata oil fraction is the only seed fraction processed into HVO. Therefore, until the oil is processed into HVO, emissions are multiplied by the allocation factor (0.63), while in subsequent stages, emissions are considered to be 100% calculated.

[0371] Table 20: Transportation of grain, oil and fuel

[0372]

[0373] Table 21: Emissions from transport (Farm 1)

[0374]

[0375] Table 22: Emissions from transport (Farm 2)

[0376]

[0377] As mentioned above, indirect land use change can cause significant biofuel pathway GHG emissions and is interpreted as a potential source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the BioGrace model, which can be added to the aforementioned stages. However, in the carinata cultivation method of the present invention, since the cultivation of carinata replaces the fallow period in the crop rotation and does not replace any other crops, no indirect land use change occurs.

[0378] The BioGrace model takes into account an additional factor in calculating net GHG emissions—the expected reduction in GHG emissions that would result from adopting improved land management practices when growing bioenergy crops relative to a baseline state. The reduction in emissions is called E sca , assuming that improved land management practices lead to increased carbon sequestration, thereby offsetting a portion of the emissions generated during the cultivation, processing, and transportation stages of this pathway. In the specific case of cultivated carinata described here, additional emission reductions can be expected due to the high proportion of biomass returned to the soil as a result of switching from full tillage to no tillage and replacing fallow with ground cover crops. Based on these improvements, the BioGrace model quantifies and allocates E sca values, which are then used to reduce net emissions for the entire pathway (Table 23).

[0379] Table 23: Total emissions associated with pathways (production of HVO biofuel from carinata oil)

[0380]

[0381] *Numbers in brackets are negative

[0382] Table 23 also summarizes the GHG emissions calculated for the entire pathway from carinata oil to HVO when carinata is produced on Farm 1 and Farm 2. As both farms are located in the same soil and climate region, are geographically close to each other, and the processing end point of the crops is the same, the processing and transportation stages will be very similar in terms of emissions. It can be seen that the only stage that shows differences in emissions between the two is the cultivation stage, which reflects the differences in the practices adopted by each farm. These differences include the sown area, sowing rate, the level of inputs (especially nitrogen-based), the energy used for cultivation, and the final crop yield. However, as shown in Table 24, the life cycle GHG emissions obtained from the carinata to HVO pathway are -14.2 gCO2 eq / MJ (Farm 1) and 3.5 gCO2 eq / MJ (Farm 2), respectively, which are significantly lower than the life cycle emissions associated with the petroleum-derived diesel production pathway (83.8 gCO2 eq / MJ) (WTT Annex 1, v3 paragraphs 2.1 and 3; Z1), with GHG emissions reduced by 96% to 117% relative to diesel fuel.

[0383] Table 24: Carbon intensity (CI) and GHG emissions reductions relative to fossil fuel benchmarks

[0384]

[0385] *DeJong et al., 2017

[0386] Example 8: B. japonica grown sequentially as a winter cover after soybean; Effect of manure utilization during cultivation on GHG emissions.

[0387] A winter cover crop of A. japonica was used to replace fallow land and was sequentially cultivated on two farms in the southeastern United States (Farm A near Fort Valley, Georgia and Farm B near Dublin, Georgia) during the winter of 2015-2016. As described above and in Table 2, the region is classified as a warm temperate humid climate zone. Soils found in this region of Georgia are of the low activity clay soil type (see 2010 / 335 / EU; COMMISSION DECISION of 10 June 2010 on guidelines for the calculation of land carbon stocks for the purpose of Annex V to Directive 2009 / 28 / EC). According to the Agrisoma Grower's Guide for the region ( https: / / agrisoma.com / ckfinder / userfiles / files / 2017_18_SE_Handbook.pdf ) were followed, with fields on both farms seeded with Avanza 641, a Ethiopian mustard; specific details of the cultivation are given in Table 25. The amounts of fertilizer inputs used on both farms are listed in Table 25, and the amounts of nutrients added were determined based on the results of soil analysis to achieve the recommended ranges suggested in the grower's guide. For Farm A, all nitrogen was applied in the form of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers, while for Farm B, a mixture of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers and manure was used.

[0388] In order to accurately assess the total GHG emissions associated with the cultivation of carinata, farm managers recorded the fuel use of all agricultural machinery used in the cultivation and harvesting of carinata crops (Table 26). All irrigation at both locations was achieved through a combination of natural precipitation and supplementary irrigation. When it matured, it was harvested by direct cutting with a combine harvester, and almost all plant material was returned to the field except for the collected grains. Table 25 lists the yield per unit area of ​​carinata grains harvested from the two farms (at a specific moisture content).

[0389] Table 25 Carinata cultivation details (Farm A and Farm B)

[0390]

[0391]

[0392] To calculate the GHG footprint of carinata cultivation with and without the use of manure, the BioGrace v 1.4 model (http: / / www.Biograce.net) was used, using the same principles to account for GHG emissions from cultivation inputs and fuel use during cultivation and transportation as described in Example 6. However, for the purposes of this example, the BioGrace model was used to consider only the GHG emissions from the cultivation phase of the carinata-based biofuel pathway (including harvesting, drying, and transporting the grain to storage locations), even though the feedstock produced would be used primarily for HVO production (used due to the reduction of fuel substitutes in transportation and aviation fuel applications), in order to demonstrate the potential of carinata cultivation to reduce the carbon intensity associated with the biofuel pathway under cultivation conditions (where carinata is grown as a winter cover instead of fallow on farms belonging to warm temperate humid climate regions), and to assess the impact of the use of manure during the cultivation phase on the carbon intensity of the resulting HVO biofuel. In order to estimate GHG emissions consistently and in a way that takes into account functional units, a simplified pathway HVO yield of 0.58 MJ HVO / MJ of harvested carinata grain was assumed. As mentioned previously, the allocation factor for the first three steps of carinata oil production (cultivation, drying, and grain transportation) is 0.613.

[0393] All emissions listed for the cultivation, drying and transport phases were added together to give a total emission value (expressed as carbon intensity) for the cultivation phase (see Table 26 for emissions for Farm A and Farm B during the cultivation phase). As mentioned previously, for the cultivation, drying and grain transport steps, allocation factors were applied to the emissions to account for the fact that the carinata oil fraction represented 63% of the seed energy and that the carinata oil fraction was the only fraction processed into HVO. Therefore, until the carinata oil was extracted from the grain, the emissions generated were multiplied by the allocation factors to produce the so-called allocated emissions for each step of cultivation, drying and grain transport (see Table 27).

[0394] Table 26: Emissions from Carinata cultivation without manure (Farm A) or with manure (Farm B)

[0395]

[0396] *The use of manure does not generate direct emissions from its preparation, but will result in indirect emissions (calculated in the field emissions of N2O)

[0397] Table 27: Emissions from Carinata cultivation without manure (Farm A) or with manure (Farm B)

[0398]

[0399] The BioGrace model takes into account an additional factor in calculating net GHG emissions—the estimated reduction in GHG emissions that may result from adopting improved land management practices in growing bioenergy crops, relative to a baseline state of unadjusted management practices. The reduction in emissions is called E sca , assuming that improved land management practices lead to increased carbon sequestration on managed lands, thus offsetting a portion of the emissions generated during the cultivation, processing, and transportation stages of this pathway. In the specific case of cultivated carinata described here, additional emission reductions can be expected due to the change from tillage to reduced tillage, the replacement of fallow with ground cover crops allowing a high proportion of biomass to be returned to the soil at harvest, and the use of manure which also contributes to soil carbon conservation. Based on these improvements (see E for Farm A in Table 28 and Farm B in Table 29) sca The BioGrace model quantifies and allocates E in tons of CO2 / ha / year returned to the soil. sca This is then converted into tonnes of CO2 returned to the soil per MJ of HVO biofuel produced and then used to reduce net emissions for the entire pathway.

[0400] Table 28: Changes in soil organic carbon due to improved land management (Farm A – no manure)

[0401]

[0402] Table 29: Changes in soil organic carbon due to improved land management (Farm B with manure)

[0403]

[0404] From Table 30, it can be seen that the CO per MJ of HVO produced during the cultivation, drying and grain shipping phases of the two farms 2eq Emissions are negative (i.e. Farm A -18.7 tons of CO 2eq / HVO produced by MJ and CO produced by Farm B - 114.35 tons 2eq / MJ produced HVO), which indicates that the cultivation of carinata under the conditions and practices described in this paper leads to the addition of atmospheric CO2 eq This was mainly through increasing soil organic carbon levels through net uptake of carbon-containing harvest residues, leaf litter and root material, reducing soil carbon losses through the use of reduced tillage and, in the case of Farm B, improving soil structure and carbon retention through the use of manure.

[0405] Table 30: Sum of emissions associated with the pathway (production of HVO from carinata feedstock) without manure (farm A) or with manure (farm B)

[0406]

[0407] *Numbers in brackets are negative

[0408] From Table 26, it can be seen that the use of manure on Farm B causes CO emissions associated with direct and indirect N2O emissions. 2eq A significant increase in emissions. In fact, considering only the contribution of the cultivation, drying and grain transport steps, Farm 2 has a CO2 equivalent emission level 1.65 times higher than Farm A. However, this is compensated by the 2.8-fold increase in annual soil carbon deposition observed in Farm B compared to Farm A (see Tables 28 and 29). Therefore, if a farmer might wish to cultivate carinata on soils of relatively low fertility (especially in terms of nitrogen and water), it would be clearly beneficial for the farmer to use manure instead of inorganic fertilizers (especially inorganic nitrogen) to achieve the desired fertility level and maximum carinata yield, which could offset and further reduce the GHG emission level due to the beneficial effect of manure application on soil carbon accumulation.

[0409] Although the current analysis considers only a portion of the HVO biofuel pathway, it is clear to those skilled in the art that applying the best practices described herein to the cultivation of carinata to produce feedstocks for HVO and low carbon intensity biofuels can apply the significant reductions produced in the carinata cultivation, drying, and grain transportation stages to emissions produced in later stages of the pathway (i.e., oil production, transportation and storage of feedstock oil, conversion of feedstock to HVO, transportation storage and distribution of HVO). In fact, if the practices described for Farm B were applied to the HVO production pathway described in Example 7, a net negative carbon intensity for the entire HVO production pathway could be easily achieved. The higher the negative carbon intensity of the cultivation, drying, and grain transportation stages, the wider the range of feedstock and HVO transportation methods can be considered, while the overall GHG emissions of the biofuel pathway remain the lowest.

[0410] Example 9: GHG reduction potential of low CI biofuels produced from feedstocks produced from Ethiopian mustard grown sequentially as a winter cover after a cereal crop (corn) in a tropical humid climate (Florida / southeastern United States).

[0411] This example illustrates the reduction in GHG emissions from sequential cultivation of carinata as a cover crop in a tropical humid climate region, such as the production of carinata after a corn crop in northern Florida (described in Example 2 above). As in the previous example, the emissions from growing carinata as a winter cover crop after corn in a tropical humid climate region were calculated using the BioGrace model, assuming HVO as the final product, and are summarized in Table 31 as g CO 2eq / MJ of HVO produced. The emissions from growing, harvesting, drying and transporting the grain are shown before and after applying a partitioning factor, which is used to account for the fact that only the oil portion of the grain contributes to GHG emissions in this part of the biofuel pathway. It can be seen that after applying the partitioning factor, the total emissions from growing, drying and transporting the grain are 47.9g CO 2eq / HVO produced by MJ.

[0412] Table 31: Emissions from Carinata cultivation

[0413]

[0414] Table 32 summarizes the benefits that could accrue from the adoption of a maize and carinata rotation and associated improvements in land management practices. The BioGrace model compares soil carbon accumulation before and after the application of the new agricultural practices. The land was maintained under light tillage in the baseline state and then maintained under fallow conditions while receiving low levels of inputs, where under the adjusted conditions carinata was cultivated under no tillage conditions and high levels of inputs. In practice, the net result of this change is a large annual net carbon contribution to existing soil stocks due to the return of accumulated carbon from plant residues and root material remaining after harvest to the soil. The BioGrace model predicts a net increase in soil carbon expressed as 1.02 tonnes CO2 / ha / year due to the cultivation of carinata under improved land management practices over the baseline. Since carbon is primarily derived from the fixation of atmospheric CO2 by plants through photosynthesis, this represents a net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere and sequestration in the soil. The net reduction in GHG emissions can also be expressed relative to the amount of HVO produced (36.59 gCO 2eq / MJ HVO), and this bonus or Esca value can be used to offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout the biofuel pathway. As shown in Table 33, the net emissions accumulated from the cultivation, drying and transportation of grains are subtracted from the Esca value. sca It can be seen that subtracting E sca After factoring, a net GHG emission of 11.42 g CO2eq / J HVO was produced. Unlike some of the examples of carinata cultivation described above, the carbon intensity of the pathway including the following is even after subtracting E sca The values ​​are still positive after the bonus: cultivation of carinata as a winter fallow after maize in tropical humid climate regions, drying of harvested grain and transportation of harvested grain to collection sites. This indicates that net GHG emissions are being released. This is partly due to the high levels of nitrogen used in the cultivation of carinata in this study and the associated GHG emissions from the fields during the cultivation phase.

[0415] However, if nitrogen inputs could be reduced by 50% (i.e. from 141 kg / ha to 70 kg / ha) without significantly affecting carinata yield (low nitrogen use efficiency), GHG emissions during the cultivation phase could be reduced from 47.9 g CO 2eq / MJ HVO reduced to 30.1g CO 2eq / MJ HVO (Table 33). If transport and E sca Taking this into account, emissions become negative (-6.4g CO 2eq / MJ HVO), indicating that cultivation of carinata results in a net reduction in atmospheric CO2 levels, which can be used to offset emissions from other stages of the biofuel pathway. This example illustrates how maximizing nitrogen use efficiency of carinata cultivation can significantly impact GHG emission reductions associated with low CI biofuel production.

[0416] Table 32: Emission reductions from improved land management

[0417]

[0418] Table 33: Emissions from Carinata cultivation

[0419]

[0420] *Numbers in brackets are negative

[0421] Example 10: GHG emissions from growing B. aegypti as a summer mulch after a legume crop (lentils) in a cold temperate dry climate.

[0422] This example illustrates the reduction in GHG emissions achieved using carinata as a summer cover crop, cultivated as a feedstock for the production of biofuels. As in the previous example, the emissions from the cultivation of carinata as a summer cover crop after lentils in a cold temperate dry climate region were calculated using the BioGrace model, assuming HVO as the final product, as described above and summarized in Table 34 (110 kg / ha inorganic nitrogen application scenario 1) and Table 35 (55 kg / ha inorganic nitrogen application scenario 2) as gCO 2eq / MJ of HVO produced. Emissions from the cultivation and harvesting, drying and transportation of the grain are presented before and after application of allocation factors that are used to account for the fact that only the oil portion of the grain results in GHG emissions in this part of the biofuel pathway. Comparison of the data in Tables 34 and 35 shows that GHG emissions for grain drying and transportation are the same for the two nitrogen use scenarios, but differ greatly during the cultivation phase, with scenario 2 showing much lower emissions predicted by the BioGrace model. This reflects lower field emissions due to the application of less nitrogen fertilizer to the crop. Therefore, lower requirements for nitrogen-based fertilizers and the ability to maintain yields are expected benefits of using lentils and other legume crop species in rotation with carinata, with additional benefits provided in the form of significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions during cultivation.

[0423] Table 34: Emissions from Carinata cultivation (scenario 1)

[0424]

[0425] Table 35: Emissions from Carinata cultivation (scenario 2)

[0426]

[0427] Table 36 summarizes the benefits that can be derived from adopting a lentil / carinata rotation and associated land management practices. The BioGrace model compares soil carbon accumulation before and after the new agricultural practices are applied. In the baseline state the land can remain fallow and receive low levels of inputs, while in the adjusted state a carinata cover crop is cultivated. Although this requires the application of more inputs, the net result of cultivating carinata is a large annual net carbon contribution to existing soil stocks due to the carbon accumulated in plant residues after harvest and the return of root material to the soil. The BioGrace model predicts that the net increase in soil carbon due to the cultivation of carinata is expressed as 0.73 tons CO2 / ha / year compared to the baseline. Since carbon comes primarily from plant fixation of atmospheric CO2 through photosynthesis, this represents a net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere and sequestration in the soil. The net reduction in GHG emissions can also be relative to the amount of HVO produced (30.32 g CO 2eq / MJ HVO) is used to express this E sca The dividend of the value can be used to offset the GHG emissions generated during the pathway. As shown in Table 37, E is subtracted from the net emissions accumulated from the cultivation, drying and transportation of grain. sca From Scheme 1 (high nitrogen utilization), it can be seen that adding E sca After the factorization, 8.2 g CO was produced 2eq / MJ HVO, but in Scenario 2 (low nitrogen utilization), 4.5g CO 2eq / MJ HVO net GHG emissions. This negative carbon intensity can be used to offset emissions that may be generated at other stages in the HVO production pathway, such as processing, refining and hydrotreating of carinata oil, thereby helping to reduce overall emissions from the pathway. Therefore, increasing nitrogen use efficiency during the cultivation phase and improving land management practices associated with cultivation can lead to increasingly negative carbon intensity at this stage of the pathway and can significantly reduce overall GHG emissions from the entire biofuel pathway.

[0428] Table 36: Improved land management (inorganic nitrogen options 1 and 2)

[0429]

[0430] Table 37: Emissions from high (110 kg / ha) and low (55 kg / ha) inorganic nitrogen Carinata cultivation

[0431]

[0432] *Numbers in brackets are negative

[0433] Example 11: C. thunbergii was grown sequentially after a legume crop (soybean) as a winter cover in a warm temperate humid climate (Uruguay) to reduce GHG emissions.

[0434] This example illustrates the reduction in GHG emissions achieved by growing carinata as a winter cover crop, instead of leaving land fallow, to produce feedstock for biofuel production. Emissions from growing carinata as a winter cover crop, sequentially grown after soybeans in a warm temperate humid climate region, were calculated using the BioGrace model assuming HVO as the end product, as described above, and are summarized in Table 38 as g CO 2eq / As mentioned above, the emissions from the cultivation and harvesting, drying and transportation of the grain are shown before and after the application of the allocation factor, which is used to account for the fact that only the oil part of the grain contributes to GHG emissions in this part of the biofuel pathway. It can be seen that after the application of the allocation factor, the total emissions from the cultivation, drying and transportation of the grain are 27.1g CO 2eq / HVO produced by MJ.

[0435] Table 38: Emissions from Carinata cultivation

[0436]

[0437] Table 39 summarizes the benefits that can be derived from adopting a soybean / carinata rotation and associated improved land management practices. The BioGrace model compares soil carbon accumulation before and after the new agricultural practices are applied. In the baseline scenario, the land can remain fallow and receive low levels of inputs, while in the adjusted scenario, carinata cover crops are cultivated and high levels of inputs are applied. Although this requires the application of more inputs, the net result of cultivating carinata is a large annual net carbon contribution to existing soil stocks due to the return of carbon accumulated in plant residues and root material after harvest. The BioGrace model predicts that the net increase in soil carbon due to the cultivation of carinata is expressed as 1.41 tons CO2 / ha / year compared to the baseline scenario. Since carbon is primarily derived from plant-based fixation of atmospheric CO2 through photosynthesis, this represents a net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere and sequestration in the soil. The net reduction in GHG emissions can also be calculated relative to the amount of HVO produced (50.91 g CO 2eq / MJ HVO) and this bonus or E sca The values ​​are then used in the BioGrace model to offset the GHG emissions produced during the pathway. As shown in Table 39, E is subtracted from the net emissions accumulated from the cultivation, drying and transportation of the grain. sca value, resulting in 23.8 g CO 2eq / MJ HVO negative GHG emissions. That is, under the cultivation conditions used in this study, the cultivation of Ethiopian mustard to produce oilseed cereals can reduce the CO2 level in the atmosphere. This negative carbon intensity can be used to offset the emissions that may be generated in other stages of the HVO production pathway, such as the processing, refining and hydrotreating of carinata oil, thereby helping to reduce the overall emissions of the pathway. The following factors lead to negative carbon intensity in the cultivation stage, such as the improved land management practices associated with the application efficiency of nitrogen and the cultivation of carinata.

[0438] Table 39: Improved land management practices

[0439]

[0440]

[0441] *Numbers in brackets are negative

[0442] Example 12: Reduced GHG production from the sequential cultivation of B. aestivum as a winter cover crop following a cereal crop (wheat) in New South Wales.

[0443] This example illustrates the GHG emission reductions achieved by using carinata as a cover crop in warm temperate dry and tropical dry climate regions, represented by the wheat-producing areas of New South Wales in eastern Australia. As in the previous example, the emissions from growing carinata as a winter cover crop sequentially after wheat in a warm temperate climate region were calculated using the BioGrace model, assuming HVO as the final product, and are summarized as gCO in Table 41 (high inorganic N use) and Table 42 (low inorganic N use). 2eq / MJ of HVO produced. The emissions from the cultivation and harvesting of the grain, the drying and transportation of the grain are shown before and after the application of a partitioning factor, which is used to account for the fact that only the oil portion of the grain contributes to GHG emissions in this part of the biofuel pathway. It can be seen that after the application of the partitioning factor, the total emissions from the cultivation, drying and transportation of the grain in the scenario with high levels of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer during the cultivation of carinata is 38.8 gCO 2eq / MJ of HVO produced, while in the scenario with low inorganic nitrogen fertilizer utilization, the total emission was 25.5g CO 2eq / HVO produced by MJ.

[0444] Table 41: Emissions from Carinata cultivation (high inorganic N)

[0445]

[0446] Table 42: Emissions from Carinata cultivation (low N)

[0447]

[0448] Table 43 summarizes the benefits that could result from adopting a wheat-carinata rotation and associated improvements in land management practices in specific climate regions and soil types. The BioGrace model compares soil carbon accumulation before and after the application of new agricultural practices. In the baseline state, the land was maintained under light tillage and then under fallow conditions while receiving low levels of inputs, while under adjusted conditions, a carinata cover crop was cultivated under no-till conditions and high levels of inputs. In practice, the net result of this change is that carbon from the accumulation of plant residues and root material left after harvest returns to the soil, contributing significantly to the annual net carbon in existing soil stocks.

[0449] The BioGrace model predicts a net increase in soil carbon of 0.97 tonnes CO2 / ha / year due to cultivation of carinata under improved land management practices over the baseline. Since carbon is primarily derived from plant fixation of atmospheric CO2 through photosynthesis, this represents a net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere and sequestration in the soil. The net reduction in GHG emissions can also be accounted for by the amount of HVO produced (35 g CO 2eq / MJ HVO). And this bonus or E sca The value can be used to offset the GHG emissions generated by the entire process of the biological pathway. As shown in Table 44, the net emissions accumulated from the cultivation, drying and transportation of grains are subtracted from E sca It can be seen that when the cultivation is carried out with high content of inorganic nitrogen, the value of E sca After factorization, 3.8 g of CO is produced 2eq / JHVO. Unlike other examples of carinata cultivation, the carbon intensity of the pathways included below was sca The dividend remains positive after: carinata is cultivated as a winter fallow after wheat in the warm temperate dry / tropical dry regions including NSW, and the harvested grain is subsequently dried and transported to the collection point. This indicates that net GHG emissions are being released. This is partly due to the high levels of nitrogen used in the cultivation of carinata in this study, which contributes to GHG emissions from the field during the cultivation phase.

[0450] Table 43: Emission reductions from improved land management

[0451]

[0452]

[0453] If nitrogen inputs could be reduced by 50% (i.e. from 110 kg / ha to 55 kg / ha) without significantly affecting carinata yield (low nitrogen use), GHG emissions during the cultivation phase could be reduced from 37.5 g CO 2eq / MJ HVO reduced to 24.2g CO 2eq / MJ HVO (Table 44). sca Taking this into account, total emissions under the low nitrogen scenario are reduced to -9.5CO 2eq / MJ HVO, which represents a net reduction in atmospheric CO2 levels by growing carinata under these conditions. This example and the previous one serve to illustrate the impact that differences in soil type and climate region can have on carinata cultivation capabilities and related best practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

[0454] Table 44: Emissions from Carinata cultivation

[0455]

[0456] *Numbers in brackets are negative

[0457] Example 13: Effect of manure use on GHG emissions and sequestration during cultivation of Ethiopian mustard. During the winter of 2016-2017, Ethiopian mustard was grown on 13 independent farms in central Georgia, USA. In order to evaluate compliance with sustainable practices, the production of carinata on these farms was carefully audited. As described in the previous example, the energy use and GHG emission data of all steps in the cultivation process were analyzed using the BioGrace GHG Biofuel GHG Emission Calculator Spreadsheet 4d. When manure is used to replace part or all of the inorganic nitrogen, it is particularly important to evaluate the impact of manure (in this case chicken manure) on the GHG emission levels of carinata cultivation. Six of the 13 farms used manure as fertilizer in combination with inorganic nitrogen, or in one case completely replaced inorganic nitrogen, while the rest used inorganic nitrogen only in mixed fertilizers. Cultivation on all farms included the use of improved land management practices described herein, including reduced tillage and rotation of carinata as a cover crop with cereal crops, legumes, cotton or sesame.

[0458] Table 45 summarizes the data obtained from these farms. For the purposes of this study, it was assumed, as mentioned earlier, that the carinata grain produced will provide feedstock for the production of HVO biodiesel, so the intermediate GHG calculations for this pathway were normalized relative to the energy content of HVO biodiesel. CO2 equivalent emissions were calculated based on the cultivation data and they include emissions from the following steps: preparation of inputs, use of fuel for farm machinery, production of commercial seeds to start cultivation, drying of seeds and transportation of seeds. Direct and indirect emissions from organic and inorganic nitrogen applied to the fields were also quantified and included. Due to improvements in land and cultivation management practices, a portion of the CO2 emissions cannot be released into the atmosphere but enters the soil organic carbon pool, reducing net emissions. This latter effect is called Esca and, as mentioned earlier, it can be quantified and then the CO2 generated from the above sources is calculated. 2eq = 45, to produce net emissions from cultivation for each farm. As shown in Table 45, all farms produced negative emissions during the cultivation phase of this pathway, indicating that the cultivation of carinata using the methods described herein resulted in a net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. Farms using manure as a nutrient source achieved greater reductions in atmospheric CO2 than farms using only inorganic nutrients. One reason for this is the effect of manure use on soil carbon accumulation, which was several times higher on farms using manure compared to farms using inorganic nitrogen.

[0459] In the study described herein, data was not obtained directly from the later stages of the HVO production pathway. However, once the grain is consolidated, the subsequent steps of the pathway can be considered to be universal for grains from all sources. Emissions associated with oil recovery and the energy used to convert oil feedstocks into HVO biodiesel are well known and depend primarily on the amount of feedstock used. Although the distance and mode of transportation, the distribution and storage of feedstocks and finished fuels may vary greatly, for the purpose of this example, default distances and fuel transportation types are used to provide data to calculate the net emissions of such sample pathways, and are added to the above-mentioned actual cultivation stage emission data to obtain the total carbon intensity of the produced HVO, which is obtained through agricultural production of carinata and carinata feedstocks. As shown in Table 45, in most cases, the carbon intensity of HVO produced by the default pathway is negative, indicating a net reduction in atmospheric GHG levels relative to diesel produced from fossil fuel feedstocks. The highest GHG reduction benefits can be achieved with feedstocks obtained from farms that use manure during the cultivation stage.

[0460] It is clear that CO2 emissions during the cultivation phase can be reduced by improving the practices described in this paper, including the use of reduced or no-till practices, reduced irrigation, and the use of manure. 2eq Emissions, which may more than offset emissions from subsequent non-cultivation stages of the pathway, which are more dependent on variables such as how the feedstocks and finished fuels are transported, distributed, and stored.

[0461] Table 45: Effect of manure use on CO2Eq emissions from carinata cultivation and its effect on CI for HVO diesel production using carinata feedstock

[0462]

[0463] 1 All farms listed were growing Ethiopian mustard in central Georgia during the winter of 2016-2017

[0464] 2 As described in Example 8, less E. sca CO2eq emissions

[0465] 3 Based on a pathway that includes actual cultivation data for each farm, supplemented with default oil extraction and processing emissions data and simulated oil and fuel transportation, storage and distribution emissions data

[0466] 4Based on a standard CI of 83.8CO2 eq / MJ for petroleum diesel, as per BioGrace Emissions Calculator v1.4d

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[0505] All publications and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

[0506] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims.

[0507] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0508] The phrase "and / or" used in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so combined, ie, elements that are present together in some cases but not in other cases.

[0509] Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be understood in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so combined. There may optionally be other elements besides the elements specifically identified by the "and / or" sentence, whether related or unrelated to those specifically identified elements. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and / or B," when used in conjunction with open language such as "comprising," may refer to only A (optionally including elements other than B) in one embodiment; to only B (optionally including elements other than A) in another embodiment; to both A and B (optionally including other elements) in yet another embodiment; etc.

[0510] "Or" as used in the specification and claims herein should be understood to include the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" should be interpreted as inclusive, i.e., including at least one of a plurality of elements or a list of elements, but also including more than one and optionally including additional unlisted items.

[0511] As used herein, the transitional terms "comprising," "including," "with," "having," "containing," "involving," and the like, whether in the specification or in the appended claims, should be understood to be inclusive or open-ended (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to), and do not exclude unrecited elements, materials, or method steps. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to the claims and exemplary embodiment paragraphs herein, respectively. The transitional phrase "consisting of" excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specifically recited. The transitional phrase "consisting essentially of" limits the scope to specific elements, materials, or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic characteristics of the invention disclosed and / or claimed herein.

Claims

1. A method for producing Ethiopian mustard ( Brassica carinata ) oil, the Ethiopian mustard oil being used as a feedstock for producing a low carbon intensity biofuel for use in transportation, the method comprising: Obtaining Ethiopian mustard grain produced by a method comprising: a. planting an Ethiopian mustard variety as a second crop in rotation with a first crop, or in place of a fallow crop; b. implementing land management practices to reduce the use of fossil fuel inputs and maximize the capture of atmospheric carbon by plant material of the Ethiopian mustard variety, wherein the land management practices comprise one or more of the following: i. no-till, low-till or mid-till, ii. reducing irrigation compared to normal irrigation required for another oilseed crop under the same growing conditions, iii. reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer compared to the recommended nitrogen fertilizer use for Ethiopian mustard under the growing conditions, and iv. using manure to provide about 20% to about 100% of the nitrogen fertilizer required for the cultivation of Ethiopian mustard; c. harvesting the Ethiopian mustard variety to obtain grain; d. about 70% to about 90% of all plant material of the Ethiopic brassica juncea variety other than the grain is returned to the soil; and oil is extracted from the harvested grain to obtain oil for use as a feedstock for producing a low carbon intensity biofuel that produces a carbon intensity value that is reduced by at least 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200 g CO2 or more relative to the carbon intensity value of a corresponding conventional fuel produced from a fossil fuel feedstock. 2eq / MJ energy.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method of producing the Ethiopian mustard grain further comprises planting the Ethiopian mustard variety immediately after or simultaneously with harvesting the first crop for sequential crop production without an intermediate fallow period.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the process for producing the Ethiopian mustard grain further comprises processing the harvested grain to produce a meal fraction.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the carbon intensity value of the low carbon intensity biofuel is reduced by about 50 to about 200 g CO relative to the carbon intensity value of a corresponding fuel produced from a fossil fuel feedstock. 2eq / MJ.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the production of the low carbon intensity biofuel results in a reduction of GHG emissions over its life cycle by about 60% to about 400% relative to the GHG emissions resulting from the production of the corresponding fuel from a fossil fuel feedstock.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising producing a protein-rich feed additive from the meal fraction, the feed additive being used in livestock production.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method of producing the Ethiopian mustard grain further comprises planting a new crop that is the same as or different from the first crop, but is not Ethiopian mustard, immediately after or simultaneously with harvesting the Ethiopian mustard without an intermediate fallow period.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises sequestering atmospheric CO2.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method sequesters about 0.5 to about 5 tons of CO2 per hectare per year in the soil.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method of producing the B. juncea grain comprises reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizer to about 40% to about 100% of the recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer for B. juncea under the growing environment.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the manure is chicken manure, cow manure or sheep manure.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein there is little or no land use change.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first crop is a legume crop.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the legume crop is peanut, soybean, lentil, bean or pea.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first crop is a cereal crop.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the cereal crop is wheat, barley, rye, oats or corn.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first crop is cotton or sesame.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the growing environment is located in a tropical humid climate region, and wherein the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in the fall or winter for harvest in the spring or summer, or planting the Ethiopian mustard in the spring for harvest in the fall.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the growing environment is located in a tropical dry climate region, and wherein the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in the fall or winter for harvesting in the spring or summer.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the growing environment is located in a cold temperate dry climate region, and wherein the land management practices include planting the mustard in the spring for harvesting in the summer or fall.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the growing environment is located in a cold temperate humid climate region, and wherein the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in the spring for harvesting in the summer or fall.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the growing environment is located in a warm temperate humid climate region, and wherein the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in the fall or winter for harvesting in the spring or summer.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the growing environment is located in a warm temperate dry climate region, and wherein the land management practices include planting the Ethiopian mustard in the fall or winter for harvesting in the spring or summer.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the harvesting is performed by a combine harvester.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the harvesting is performed by direct combine harvesting.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the biofuel is used in aviation fuel applications.

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