Camellia oil: A new crop for the Southeast

Summary

Camellia oil is a heart-healthy edible oil that may also have uses for production of biodiesel fuel and animal feed. Our program is investigating the potential of this new crop in the southeastern United States.

Situation

The tea oil camellia, Camellia oleifera Abel., is used extensively in the orient for cooking oil, inks, lubricants, and cosmetics. After the oil has been extracted from the seed the remaining seed cake can be used for animal feed, fertilizer, and development of natural pesticides. Approximately 1/7th of the Chinese population uses camellia oil as their primary cooking oil. The oil is similar to olive oil, having a high % of oleic acid (75-80%). Oils high in oleic acid are healthy in that they help lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Camellia oil has a higher burn temperature than olive oil, thus it does not “smoke-out” as easily when used for cooking. Oil content of the seed is ~ 50%. It is our hope that one day camellia oil will have its fair share of shelf space in U.S. grocery stores just as olive oil does today. Commercial production in China has decreased while demand has increased. Currently, tea oil camellias are produced on ~9.1 million acres in China. No production of tea oil is known to have occurred in the United States. Tea oil camellias may grow upwards of 15' or more if not pruned. Much of the production in China is from wild-collected seedlings. Grafting of new cultivars is becoming popular as new orchards are developed. With loss of traditional agricultural commodities and low prices, growers in the southeastern United States are looking for alternative crops. Here in the southeast we envision growing tea oil camellia in orchards similar to the way blueberries are grown. Plants bloom in the fall and the fruit is harvested the following October. It may be possible to use blueberry pickers or similar equipment to mechanize harvesting. The fruit is allowed to dry and the seeds are removed for extraction of the oil. Tea oil camellias are very tolerant of a wide range of soil types and do well on upland sites which support traditional tree or row crops.

Response

Research was initiated in 1999 to develop Camellia oleifera as a commercial oilseed crop in the southeastern United States. Four seed sources were located in the United States. Initial studies indicated that stratification improved rate and uniformity of seed germination. A great deal of research has been conducted since 1999 to determine the best methods for producing container grown plants which can then be transplanted into the field. Further work is needed on propagation once cultivars are selected. In 2002 I visited Zhejiang Province, China to see how the crop is grown and processed. In 2001, I acquired seed from 18 elite selections of camellias grown in China for oil production. About 50% of the seedlings from elite selections make good plants, therefore cultivar selection is necessary. As I was not allowed to acquire scion wood of cultivars, seedlings were my only option. Nine were selections of C. oleifera, while others included species such as C. polyodonata and C. yuhsienensis. These seedlings have been planted at the Coastal Plain Station in Tifton and at Jackson Farms Greenery in Wrightsville, GA. Plants will be evaluated for several years and selections will be made for oil production and quality, disease and insect resistance, flowering and fruiting dates, ease of harvest, growth characteristics, etc.. Seedlings from the original four seed sources located in the U.S. have been planted in Tifton. Fruit has been harvested in Tifton since 2008 and Johsnon County since 2009. In 2009 66 selections in Johnson County produced fruit in commercial quantities after experiencing temperatures of 19F while in flower. Fruit was harvested and seed was extracted from over 100 selections in 2010. 25 plants were selected for clonal propagation via rooted cuttings in 2010. A grant has also been received to look at the potential of using camellia for production of biodiesel and for use as an animal feed product.

Impact

Maximum recorded yield in China is 750 kg of fruit per hectare which translates to ~80 gallons or 300 liters of camellia oil per acre. So far, we have identified clones that have yielded ~600 kg or more of fruit per hectare for three years. If such high yields occur here in the United States, camellia oil could be used for the production of biodiesel fuel. Tea oil camellia has potential to be grown from coastal North Carolina to eastern Texas. While we are still several years away from releasing cultivars, we hope to be putting out replicated field trials within the next few years. Research collaborations are being initiated to evaluate the properties of tea oil from camellias and to look at additional uses for this new crop. Companies in Australia, China, California (Arette), and Minnesota (Cargill) are interested in our work. As pest problems appear to be limited, organic production may be a possibility. If advanced selections perform well they will be released as cultivars from the University of Georgia. Several selections are being evaluated for release as ornamental cultivars. Seeds from plants grown in Georgia will be crushed for analysis in fall of 2011.

State Issue

Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability

Details

• Year: 2011
• Geographic Scope: Multi-State/Regional
• County: Tift
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources