Montana: Biodiesel from camelina grown on marginal land without H2O or fertilizer

[HoosierRon]

Camelina used to produce 100,000,000 gallons of biodiesel/yr. in Montana

The new venture will produce and market up to 100 million gallons of Camelina-based biodiesel by 2010, launching the single largest U.S. contract for the unique biodiesel-specific feedstock. Nearly all of the initial Camelina production is expected to be grown in Montana.
...
For Montana agriculture, it means that Montana farmers now have a new way to participate in the emerging green fuel industry and a lucrative new cash crop. Camelina, a distant relative to Canola, can grow on marginal land, requires minimal water or fertilizer, and can be harvested with traditional equipment.

[kfinto]

There is a lot of marginal land in the western U.S. This might be a way to put it to use....

[bluecon]

A crop that can grow without H2O?
The new perpetual motion crop?

[Wolfman01]

Originally Posted by bluecon

A crop that can grow without H2O?
The new perpetual motion crop?

There are quite a few plants that do well in marginal conditions. This is why switchgrass is being looked at for cellulosic ethanol. The stuff literally grows wild where I live.

[wpageabc]

This is good news for Montana.

[SJZ3]

Originally Posted by bluecon

A crop that can grow without H2O?
The new perpetual motion crop?

It doesn't need to be watered is probably more accurate.

It can get enough water and nutrients from the ground/air that is doesn't need humans to feed it extra. This is because some plants are more efficient then others. Most plants lose a lot of water to the air. A plant that doesn't lose as much water to the air doesn't need to have as much water fed to it.