| Abstract | The Brassica genus of plants belongs to the Brassicaceae family (formerly Crucifer family). This family is characterized by plants which produce very-long-chain fatty acids in their seed oil, and secondary defense-related metabolites called glucosinolates in the whole plant. Brassica species can germinate and grow at low temperatures and are one of the few oilseeds adapted to cooler temperate agricultural zones and winter production. The emerging emphasis on renewable energy, chemical feed stocks, industrial oils and novel uses of vegetable oils, and the steadily growing bioeconomy will provide significant growth opportunities for industrial (nonedible) Brassica oils. Canola (including canola with a modified fatty acid profiles), high erucic acid (22:1cisΔ13) rapeseed (HEAR) and eventually super-high erucic acid rapeseed (SHEAR) cultivars will be developed and grown to meet emerging and expanding markets. Double-digit annual growth in demand for industrial (nonedible) Brassica oil is anticipated. |
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