The inheritance of erucic, eicosenoic and other fatty acid components of rapeseed oil (Brassica napus L.)

INTRODUCTTON ¿4.ccoraling to Ðowney an d.Bolton ( 7 ) , rapeseed as an oilseecl crop was first groìlì¡n conmorcially in Canad.a in 194¿, wben Black årgentino "ape (.æ.¿g napus !. ) vias inBorted fron ArgentÍna and.d.igtributed.to farmers.?he growing of rape in Canada was a war neasure to suBpl_y rapeseecl oi1 for use as a marl-ne englne lubrlcant.PrÍce support of 6ø per pound.trras rneintafaecl tluring tbe perlod fron I94¿ to tg4g, cluring which tÍne tbe acreage rose to eigbty tb.ousand.acres.The number of acres d.ecllned.raBially witb the discontinuattoa of Brice supBorts.BelJ., Downey and.Tietter (1) statea that Canadian raBe- seeal is a uaJor iten in the ed.ible-oil markets of the worfd.Canadar s exports have averagetl 1481000 toas per year since 1957, which is nore than tbe total exports of rapeseedi from all otber eountries.Home eonsumptioa of rapeseed oil aãal meal is increasing, but the narkets of Europe, Africa and .A.sla still continue to be the major oütlets.In the curxent Canaêian varieties tbe average ofl content (dry basis) ls 42.4fi, ranging from 6!fo to 44fi.Sinee a oer¡r b.lgh in average yield of rapeseeti in oanada bas been reaehedl, the researcher has p]-aced nûoro ersBhasis on the investigation of tbe quality of rapeseed oil.Tt uas indicated by