An international team of scientists published the genome of canola, the second most-widely grown oilseed in the world and a source of desirable omega-3 fatty acids. Formally named Brassica napus, canola has one of the most complex genomes among flowering plants, says the University of Georgia, which participated in the work. Andrew Paterson, director of UGA’s Plant Genome Mapping laboratory, said canola resulted from the combination of two Brassica species, one that produces turnips and cabbages and the other that produces cauliflower, kale, collards and other vegetables.
“It’s like a genetic love triangle between the three species,” said Paterson, with canola sometimes favoring one of the other Brassica species and sometimes both. As with genomic sequencing of other food crops, scientists can use the new information to improve canola by making it more disease resistant or adapting it for different growing locations. Besides use as a food crop, canola is used in livestock rations and in making biofuels.