217.113.20.108 at 11:07, 2 July 2007

2007-07-02T11:07:01Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Rapeseed
| image = Koeh-169.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Rapeseed (''Brassica napus'')
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Capparales]]
| familia = [[Brassicaceae]]

| genus = ''[[Brassica]]''
| species = '''''B. napus'''''
| binomial = ''Brassica napus''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

'''Rapeseed''' (''Brassica napus''), also known as '''Rape''', '''Oilseed Rape''', '''Rapa''', '''Rapaseed''' and (one particular artificial variety) '''[[Canola]]''', is a bright yellow flowering member of the family [[Brassicaceae]] (mustard or cabbage family). The name is derived through [[Old English language|Old English]] from a term for [[turnip]], ''rapum'' (see ''[[Brassica napobrassica]]'', which may be considered a variety of ''Brassica napus''). Some botanists include the closely related ''Brassica campestris'' within ''B. napus''. (See [[Triangle of U]])
==Cultivation and uses==
The production of [[animal feed]], [[vegetable oil]] for human consumption, and [[biodiesel]]; leading producers include the [[European Union]], [[Canada]], the [[United States]], [[Australia]], [[China]] and [[India]]. In India, it is grown on 13% of cropped land. According to the [[United States Department of Agriculture]], rapeseed was the third leading source of [[vegetable oil]] in the world in 2000, after [[soybean]] and [[oil palm]], and also the world's second leading source of [[protein]] meal, although only one-fifth of the production of the leading soybean meal. World production is growing rapidly, with [[Food and Agriculture Organization|FAO]] reporting that 36 million tonnes of rapeseed was produced in the 2003-4 season, and 46 million tonnes in 2004-5. In Europe, rapeseed is primarily cultivated for [[animal]] [[feed]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}} (due to its very high [[lipid]] and medium protein content{{Fact|date=February 2007}}), and is a leading option for Europeans to avoid importation of [[GMO]] products{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.
[[Image:Canola.jpg|left|thumb|220px|Canola seeds]]
Natural rapeseed oil contains [[erucic acid]], which is mildly toxic to humans in large doses but is used as a food additive in smaller doses. [[Canola]], originally a syncopated form of the abbreviation "Can.O., L-A." (Canadian Oilseed, Low-Acid) that was used by the Manitoba government to label the seed during its experimental stages, is now a tradename for low erucic acid rapeseed that is sometimes mis-applied to other varieties{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.

The rapeseed is the valuable, harvested component of the crop. The crop is also grown as a [[winter]]-[[cover crop]]. It provides good coverage of the [[soil]] in winter, and limits [[nitrogen]] run-off. The plant is ploughed back in the soil or used as bedding. On some [[ecological]] or [[Organic farming|organic]] operations, livestock such as [[sheep]] or [[cattle]] are allowed to graze on the plants.

Processing of rapeseed for oil production provides rapeseed animal meal as a by-product. The by-product is a high-protein animal feed, competitive with [[soybean|soya]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. The feed is mostly employed for [[cattle]] feeding, but also for [[pig]]s and [[chicken]]s (though less valuable for these). The meal has a very low content of the glucosinolates responsible for metabolism disruption in cattle and pigs{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Rapeseed "oil cake" is also used as a fertilizer in China, and may be used for ornamentals, such as Bonsai, as well.

Rapeseed is a heavy [[nectar]] producer, and [[honeybee]]s produce a light colored, but peppery [[honey]] from it. It must be extracted immediately after processing is finished, as it will quickly granulate in the [[honeycomb]] and will be impossible to extract. The honey is usually blended with milder honeys, if used for table use, or sold as [[bakery]] grade. Rapeseed growers [[contract]] with [[beekeeper]]s for the pollination of the crop.

== Nutritional value ==
Canola oil (or rapeseed oil) contains both [[omega-6]] and [[omega-3]] fatty acids in a ratio of 2:1 and is only second to [[Flax|flax oil]] in omega-3 fatty acid. It is one of the most heart-healthy oils and has been reported to reduce [[cholesterol]] levels, lower serum [[tryglyceride]] levels, and keep platelets from sticking together.
Some UK farmers (such as [[Farrington Oils]][http://www.farrington-oils.co.uk]) have started to produce [[cold-pressed]] rapeseed oil as a versatile cooking oil and dressing, similar in use to olive oil.

==Biodiesel==
[[Image:DSCF0830.JPG|thumb|right|''Rapeseed Field, Baalborn, Germany'']]
Rapeseed oil is used in the manufacture of [[biodiesel]] for powering motor vehicles. Biodiesel may be used in pure form in newer engines without engine damage, and is frequently combined with standard [[diesel]] in ratios varying from 2% to 20% biodiesel. Formerly, due to the costs of growing, crushing, and refining rapeseed biodiesel, rapeseed derived biodiesel cost more to produce than standard diesel fuel. Prices of rapeseed oil are at very high levels presently (start November 05) due to increased demand on rapeseed oil for this purpose. Rapeseed oil is the preferred oil stock for biodiesel production in most of Europe, partly because rapeseed produces more oil per unit of land area as compared to other oil sources, such as soy beans.

==Rapeseed and health==
Rapeseed has been linked with adverse effects in [[asthma]] and [[hay fever]] sufferers.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Some suggest that oilseed [[pollen]] is the cause of increased breathing difficulties.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} This is unlikely however {{Fact|date=February 2007}}, as rapeseed is an [[entomophilous]] crop, with pollen transfer primarily by [[insect]]s. Others suggest that it is the inhalation of oilseed rape dust that causes this<ref>Oilseed rape allergy presented as occupational asthma in the grain industry. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9761021&dopt=Abstract</ref>, and that [[allergy|allergies]] to the pollen are relatively rare.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} There may also be another effect at work; since rapeseed in flower has a distinctive and pungent smell, hay fever sufferers may wrongly jump to the conclusion that it is the rapeseed that is to blame simply because they can smell it.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} An alternative explanation may be that it is simply the sheer volume of rapeseed pollen in the air around farmland which triggers an allergic reaction in hayfever sufferers on inhalation, or following prolonged exposure to high levels.
[[Image:Raps-Blütenstand.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Rape flowers]]

== Controversy ==
The [[Monsanto|Monsanto Company]] has [[Genetic engineering|genetically engineered]] new cultivars of rapeseed that are resistant to the effects of its [[herbicide]] [[Roundup]]. They have been vigorously prosecuting farmers found to have the ''Roundup Ready'' [[gene]] in Canola in their fields without paying a license fee{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. These farmers have claimed the ''Roundup Ready'' gene was blown into their fields and crossed with unaltered Canola{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Other farmers claim that after spraying Roundup in non-Canola fields to kill weeds before planting, ''Roundup Ready'' volunteers are left behind, causing extra expense to rid their fields of the weeds{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.

In a closely followed legal battle, the [[Supreme Court of Canada]] found in favor of Monsanto's patent infringement claim for illegal growing of ''Roundup Ready'' in its 2004 ruling on [[Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser]]. The case garnered international controversy as a court-sanctioned legitimation for the global patent protection of genetically modified crops{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.

There was also major concern that the extensive use of herbicide led to significant loss of [[biodiversity]] as [[wildflower]]s are killed, leaving other [[wildlife]] dependent on the wildflowers unable to survive{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. These concerns are offset by the reduced need to till soil during cultivation when herbicide resistant crops are used, which promotes the conservation of topsoil.

== Production ==
Worldwide production of rapeseed (including canola) rose to 46.4 million metric tons in 2005, the highest recorded total (source: [[FAO]]).

{| class="wikitable" align=left style="clear:left"
! colspan=2|Top Rapeseed Producers - 2005<br>(million metric ton)
|-
| {{CHN}} || align="right" | 13.0
|-
| {{CAN}} || align="right" | 8.4
|-
| {{IND}} || align="right" | 6.4
|-
| {{GER}} || align="right" | 4.7
|-
| {{FRA}} || align="right" | 4.4
|-
| {{GBR}} || align="right" | 1.9
|-
| {{POL}} || align="right" | 1.4
|-
| {{AUS}} || align="right" | 1.1
|-
|'''World Total''' || align="right" | '''46.4'''
|-
|colspan=2|''Source: <br>[[UN Food & Agriculture Organisation]] (FAO)''[http://faostat.fao.org/faostat/form?collection=Production.Crops.Primary&Domain=Production&servlet=1&hasbulk=0&version=ext&language=EN]
|}

{| class="wikitable" align=left style="clear:right"
! colspan=2|Worldwide Rapeseed Production <br>(million metric ton)
|-
| 1965 || align="right" | 5.2
|-
| 1975 || align="right" | 8.8
|-
| 1985 || align="right" | 19.2
|-
| 1995 || align="right" | 34.2
|-
| 2005 || align="right" | 46.4
|-
|colspan=2|''Source: <br>[[UN Food & Agriculture Organisation]] (FAO)''[http://faostat.fao.org/faostat/form?collection=Production.Crops.Primary&Domain=Production&servlet=1&hasbulk=0&version=ext&language=EN]
|}

==Pests and diseases affecting rapeseed==
===Animal pests===
[[Image:20050613-018-brassica.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Flowers.]]
* Harlequin bug (''Murgantia histrionica'')
*[[Flea beetle]]s (''Phyllotreta'' sp.),
*[[Diamondback moth]]s (''Plutella xylostella''),
*[[Bertha armyworm]]s (''Mamestra configurata''),
*[[Root maggot]]s (''Delia'' sp.)
*[[Grasshopper]]s
*[[Lygus bug]]s (''Lygus'')
*[[Bronzed field beetle]] larvae
*[[Snail]]s and [[slug]]s

[[Image:Rape-fieldSH.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Rapeseed field in [[Schleswig-Holstein]], Germany]]
===Diseases===
*[[Beet Western Yellows virus]]
*[[Blackleg]], caused by the fungus ''Leptosphaeria maculans''
*[[Clubroot]], caused by [[protist]] ''Plasmodiophora brassicae''
*[[Sclerotinia white stem rot]]
White rust diease (Albugo candida)

== See also ==
* [[Canola]]
* [[Biosafety]]
* [[Transgenic plants]]
* [[Triangle of U]]

== Sources ==
[http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T043800.asp All About Oils]
== External links ==
* [http://database.prota.org/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=QBE_QUERY&BU=http%3A%2F%2Fdatabase.prota.org%2Fsearch.htm&TN=PROTAB~1&QB0=AND&QF0=Species+Code&QI0=Brassica+napus&RF=Webdisplay PROTAbase on ''Brassica napus'']
* [http://www.canola-council.org/cooking_myths.html Canola Council on truth and myths about Canola]
* [http://www.snopes2.com/toxins/canola.htm Origins of ''Canola oil is toxic'' falsehood.]
* [http://www.wsu.edu/~gmhyde/433_web_pages/433Oil-web-pages/Rapeseed1/Rape&Canola_oils_1.html Extracting and refining rapeseed oil]
* Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (05-Dec-2001).[http://www.olis.oecd.org/olis/2001doc.nsf/43bb6130e5e86e5fc12569fa005d004c/19f31700dc91b614c1256b19003bd79d/$FILE/JT00118009.PDF CONSENSUS DOCUMENT ON KEY NUTRIENTS AND KEY TOXICANTS IN LOW ERUCIC ACID RAPESEED (CANOLA)]. ENV/JM/MONO(2001)13. Retrieved 2006-11-27
* University of Melbourne (1999) Multilingual multiscript plant name database. [http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Brassica.html Brassica names]. General Botanical Index. Retrieved 2006-11-27
* [http://www.gmo-safety.eu/en/oilseed_rape/ Safety research: GM oilseed rape] Oilseed rape in the environment and in agriculture
*[http://www.canolainfo.org CanolaInfo]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/foodprogramme_20070204.shtml BBC Radio 4 Food Programme on rapeseed oil]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Brassica]]
[[Category:Biofuels]]
[[Category:Cantonese cuisine]]
[[Category:Energy crops]]
[[Category:Hong Kong cuisine]]
[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]
[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Plants and pollinators]]

{{Commons|Brassica napus}}

Rapeseed - Revision history

217.113.20.108 at 11:07, 2 July 2007