Optimizing sowing date and seeding rate for seed oil content of winter camelina ( Camelina sativa L.) varieties in arid southern Uzbekistan

Securing vegetable oil supplies in arid regions remains a global challenge due to water scarcity. We conducted a three-year (2021–2023) field trial in Uzbekistan to evaluate sowing date and seeding rate effects on seed oil content of two winter camelina varieties (‘Penzyak’ and ‘Karat’) on light sierozem soils. Three sowing dates (October 10, 20, and November 1) and four seeding rates (8.0, 10.0, 12.0, and 14.0 million viable seeds ha−1) were evaluated within a three-way factorial design. Variety was the primary determinant of lipid concentration (p < 0.0001), with ‘Penzyak’ (40.03% ± 0.30%) outperforming ‘Karat’ (36.60% ± 0.30%). Early sowing and lower seeding rates independently increased oil accumulation. The optimal combination, ‘Penzyak’ sown on October 10 at 8.0 million seeds ha−1, yielded the maximum seed oil content of 42.96% ± 0.57%. Delayed sowing (November 1) significantly reduced oil content (p < 0.0001), compounded at higher densities (sowing date × seeding rate interaction, p = 0.0077). Although the 8.0 million seeds ha−1 maximized lipid concentration, 10.0 million seeds ha−1 provided an effective risk-aversion buffer during delayed sowing. Future multi-location trials evaluating total seed yield (kg ha−1) are necessary to formulate volumetric production guidelines for Central Asian crop rotations.