Developing selenium-enriched animal feed and biofuel from canola planted for managing Se-laden drainage waters in the westside of central California.
We studied the reuse of selenium (Se)-laden effluent for producing canola (Brassica napus) and subsequent bioproducts in central California. Canola was irrigated with poor quality waters [electrical conductivity (EC) of approximately 5 dS m(-1) sulfate-salinity, 5 mg B L(-1), and 0.25 mg Se L(-1)]. Typical seed yields were 2.2 metric tons ha(-1). Seeds were processed for their oil, and transesterified to produce ASTM-quality biodiesel (BD) blends. The resulting Se-enriched seed cake meal (containing approximately 2 mg Se kg(-1) DM) was used in a dairy feed trial. Seventy-two Jersey and Holstein cows, 36 respectively, were fed Se-enriched canola meal as 6.2% of their daily feed ration for five weeks. Blood and milk samples were collected weekly and analyzed for total Se. This study showed that Se-enriched canola meal did not significantly increase total blood Se content in either cow breed. Milk Se concentrations did, however, significantly increase to safe levels of 59 microg Se L(-1) and 52 microg Se L(-1) in Jersey and Holstein cows, respectively. The production of BD 20 biofuels and Se-enriched feed meal from canola irrigated with poor quality waters may help sustain similar phytomanagement strategies under Se-rich conditions.
Bañuelos
G S
GS
USDA-ARS 9611 S. Riverbend Ave, Parlier, CA 93648, USA. gary.banuelos@ars.usda.gov
Da Roche
J
J
Robinson
J
J
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis*; D029688:Brassica napus / Q000254:growth & development*; D002140:California; D002417:Cattle; D003612:Dairying; D004323:Drainage, Sanitary; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D018508:Water Purification
D056804:Biofuels; D012643:Selenium