Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L. var. napus)
Cabbage family (Brassicaceae)
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| pods Seeds |
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Oilseed Rape field flowers Husks |
Source: Margarine Institute, Hamburg
Distribution, Yield, Use:
Production (1000t) Yield (dt/ha)
| Country |
1979-81 |
1992 |
1979-81 |
1992 |
| China |
2950 |
7650 |
9.3 |
12.8 |
| Canada |
2581 |
3690 |
11.7 |
12.7 |
| India |
1864 |
5840 |
5.0 |
8.3 |
| France |
870 |
1860 |
23.5 |
27.0 |
| UK |
2711 |
1166 |
28.5 |
27.6 |
| World |
11290 |
26660 |
9.7 |
12.8 |
- Distribution:
As winter or summer variety in temperate regions. Main production areas
are in Canada, China, India, North and West Europe. Prefers humid situation,
long growing season and deep soil.
- Use:
Salad oil, cooking fat, margarine, oils for technical uses, animal foodstuffs
(pressing residues).
Seeds contain 40-50% oil, of which ca. 60% oleic acid (C18:1)
Region of origin: 
Region of cultivation: 
- Cultivation and Breeding:
Rape was first cultivated relatively recently. It probably first arose
as a cross between the wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and the wild turnip
(Brassica rapa) in the mediterranean region, the area of contact of both
the families of origin. Rape cultivation was definitely not established
until the 16th or 17th centuries. Alongside winter and summer varieties,
rape can be distinguished into oil-producing varieties and the leafy, animal
fodder varieties. At present, the OO-varieties which are free of erucic
acid and low in glucosinolates, are almost exclusively grown.
- Breeding aims:
The breeding aims intend to improve hardiness, length of growing season,
shape, firmness, stability of the pods, yield size of the grains and the
oil content and composition. Salad oil production requires a high percentage
of oleic and linoleic acids, and no erucic acid. The oil rape must be low
in glucosinolates in order to allow the use of its pressing residues as
a protein-rich animal foodstuff.
Adapted to HTML by R.Saedler
