(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Canola Genome

Researchers crack canola genome

Jan 10, 2020 | 11:42 AM

An international consortium of academic and global seed company leaders from Canada, the United States, Europe and Israel have successfully sequenced the genome for canola.

The canola consortium is led by Dr. Isobel Parkin from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Dr. Andrew Sharpe with the Global Institute for Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan.

The project completed the full assembly and mapping of genomes for 10 diverse canola varieties, cultivated in Canada, U.S. and Europe. The genome research is essential to enhancing the quality and yield of the major oil crop.

Parkin said increasing the productivity of the plant will expand its use and replace lower quality vegetable oils and diesel fuels.

“Having top quality genomes of rapeseed/canola is crucial for identifying the genes responsible for key commercial traits,” Parkin said in a news release. “This will be a foundational resource for basic research that’s required to increase yield and nutritional values of rapeseed/canola.”

MLAs clash over foreign ownership of Saskatchewan farmland

Nov 10, 2025

Outstanding community members

'We all loved him': respected Prince Albert broadcaster passes away

Oct 09, 2025

Nearing the end of harvest

Meals in the field and hats in combines: a look into end of harvest traditions

Oct 09, 2025

Sharpe said the work is already in use commercially for other key crops such as maize, soybean, cotton, tomato and wheat.

“This was truly a combined effort, made possible with the support and contributions from various parties,” Sharpe said. “The results will advance breeding for rapeseed and canola, benefiting research, industry, producers and consumers. This progress also has immense economic value for Canada, which is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of canola.”

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF