The Crop Physiology of Rapeseed

Abstract

Improvement of protein and oil quality in rapeseed will do much to allow increased acceptance and utilisation of the crop by feed and food manufacturers. However, yields must be raised to ensure profitability for farmers, and to reduce dependence on subsidies to oilseed crushers within the EEC. Current seed yields are not high compared to those being achieved with winter wheat, even allowing for the greater energy and protein content of the oilseed.