Grow quality rapeseed-mustard for promising returns and good health

摘要

Most of the rapeseed-mustard varieties cultivated in India contain high proportion of undesirable longchain crucic acid in oil, and sulphur compounds known as glucosinolates in seed meal. Simple breeding manipulations aided by specialized analytical techniques have helped in developing varieties low in these seed constituents. Such varieties are known as canola or double low ('OO'). Oil and seed meal of canola is nutritionally superior as compared to traditionally grown non-canola varieties. In advanced countries, rapeseed-mustard oil only from canola quality varieties is used for edible purposes, whereas oil from noncanola genotypes is used for energy production. The Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana has developed and released two double low(canola) varieties, 'GSC 5' and 'GSC 6' of gobhi sarson, and one single low (<2% erucic acid) variety 'RLC I' of Indian mustard for commercial cultivation in the state. In addition to these varieties, private sector gobhi sarson hybrid 'PAC Hyola 401' has also been recommended for cultivation. Production technology of these quality rapeseed-mustard varieties is same as that of non-canola rapeseed-mustard.