Rapeseed

Rapeseed refers to the seeds of Brassica napus and Brassica rapa, cultivated as an oilseed crop in temperate regions. The seeds are pressed to produce rapeseed oil, used for cooking and industrial applications, and a high-protein meal used as livestock feed.

Modern cultivars include canola, bred for low erucic acid and low glucosinolates to make the oil suitable for human consumption. Canola oil is marketed for its favorable fat profile, with relatively high monounsaturated fats and omega-3 content, and low saturated fat.

Cultivation and production: rapeseed is grown in Europe, North America, China, India, and Australia. It is a cool-season crop, with winter and spring varieties. Seed yields vary with climate and management and are influenced by diseases and pests such as blackleg and flea beetles.

Composition and uses: seeds typically contain about 40% oil by weight and 35–40% protein in the meal after oil extraction. The oil is widely used for cooking, margarine, and increasingly as a biodiesel feedstock and in industrial lubricants. The meal is a high-protein animal feed, subject to processing to reduce anti-nutritional compounds.

Agronomy and environment: rapeseed can serve as a rotation crop, improving soil structure and breaking pest and disease cycles. Crop protection, resistant varieties, and rotation are used to manage diseases such as blackleg and to control pests like flea beetles.