Brassica oilseeds are one of the few edible oil crops that can be cultivated in the temperate zones of the world, at higher elevations and as winter crops. This comprehensive volume encompasses research and practice in the production and use of Brassica oilseeds. The first section considers each aspect of the field crop including the importance of plant breeding and biotechnology. The impact of the crop on the surrounding environment is also discussed. The second section covers utilization. This is especially important as rapeseed oil has gained high nutritional status in recent years, and this is considered in relation to the human diet. The use of the meal by-product for animal feeds is also discussed. The oil is also used for industrial purposes and derivatives are used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The increased interest in the production and use of biodiesel from Brassica oilseeds is reflected by the inclusion of a chapter on this topic. The contributors are leading specialists from North America, Europe and Australia. The book provides a complete reference resource for students, researchers and practitioners within the disciplines of crop production, plant and food sciences

Oilseed brassicas are among the largest traded agricultural commodities and are grown in around fifty countries worldwide. Utilised for both consumption and bioenergy use, demand is increasing and this book covers the entire gamut of oilseed brassicas. Beginning with an introduction and then organised into two sections, it reviews genetics and genomics (including breeding, heterosis and selection methods) and stress management and important pathogens, to provide a complete overview of brassica oilseeds.

As the cultivation of brassica crops continues to contribute to western diets, new approaches to maximizing yields are welcome. This book presents chapters on various aspects of this issue, with a particular focus on canola crops and the oil produced from them. Those chapters address the relevance of transgenic and molecular breeding techniques to develop cold tolerance in Brassica napus L. crops grown over the winter in North America, the effects of seed-placed ammonium sulphate and monoammonium phosphate on the germination and growth of brassicae oilseed crops and the cultivation of high-erucic Brassicaceae in a Mediterranean environment. Other chapters cover oil presses, sesame seeds and oilseed pests, as well as the nitrogen efficiency of oilseed rape.

Industrial Oil Crops presents the latest information on important products derived from seed and other plant oils, their quality, the potential environmental benefit, and the latest trends in industrial uses. This book provides a comprehensive view of key oil crops that provide products used for fuel, surfactants, paints and coatings, lubricants, high-value polymers, safe plasticizers and numerous other products, all of which compete effectively with petroleum-derived products for quality and cost. Specific products derived from oil crops are a principle concern, and other fundamental aspects of developing oil crops for industrial uses are also covered. These include improvement through traditional breeding, and molecular, tissue culture and genetic engineering contributions to breeding, as well as practical aspects of what is needed to bring a new or altered crop to market. As such, this book provides a handbook for developing products from renewable resources that can replace those currently derived from petroleum. Led by an international team of expert editors, this book will be a valuable asset for those in product research and development as well as basic plant research related to oil crops. - Up-to-date review of all the key oilseed crops used primarily for industrial purposes - Highlights the potential for providing renewable resources to replace petroleum derived products - Comprehensive chapters on biodiesel and polymer chemistry of seed oil - Includes chapters on economics of new oilseed crops, emerging oilseed crops, genetic modification and plant tissue culture technology for oilseed improvement

The book describes the history of Brassica oilseed crops, introduces the Brassica genome, its evolution, diversity, classical genetic studies, and breeding. It also delves into molecular genetic linkage and physical maps, progress with genome sequencing initiatives, mutagenesis approaches for trait improvement, proteomics, metabolomics, and bioinfo

The present status of rapeseed-mustard crops as the third most important source of edible oils is attributable to the success of plant breeders and associate researchers in developing high yielding varieties with improved quality and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the need to maximize the production gains and quality at lower economic costis greater than ever before. "Breeding Oilseed Brassicas" was thus conceived to review the past accomplishments in order to identify research gaps and suggest ways and means to meet the challenge of sustainable productivity upgradation. Theoretical and applied aspects ofbreeding, genetics, cytogenetics, crop physiology, and biotechnology are covered. The emphasis is on the application of theoretical knowledge to the solution of problems that confront the Brassica breeders.