- Niger Research
Minnesota farmers are seeking alternative crops to diversify marketing options, crop rotations, pest management strategies, and workload over the growing season. However, market demand and marketing channels frequently need to be developed simultaneously with production of a new crop.

Niger thistle (Guizotia abyssinica) is an annual plant, which belongs to the sunflower family. The crop is used exclusively as bird seed in the U.S.A. but is valued as an oilseed in other countries. The seed contains approximately 42% oil, composed primarily of linoleic acid.

Currently, the entire U.S. usage of niger (approximately 70 million pounds annually) is imported from India, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Nepal.

A number of NW MN growers have been growing niger on an experimental basis, however, relatively little is known about agronomic management of this crop. The effect of nitrogen (N) fertilization on lodging, maturity, and yield a recurring grower question.

In most cases, niger must be swathed to halt growth and allow proper drydown before combining. Due to the indeterminate growth habit of the plant and genetic variability among plants, the optimum time to swath is a major concern.

During the previous year a number of niger breeders were identified who have some material available which is adapted to NW MN. Four different genotypes are available for testing: EarlyBird, earlier EarlyBird, GoldFinch, and one numbered genotype.