II.3. BRASSICA CROPS (BRASSICA SPP.) – 151
Chapter 3.
Brassica crops (Brassica spp.)
This chapter deals with the biology of Brassica species which comprise oilseed rape,
turnip rape, mustards, cabbages and other oilseed crops. The chapter contains
information for use during the risk/safety regulatory assessment of genetically engineered
varieties intended to be grown in the environment (biosafety). It includes elements
of taxonomy for a range of Brassica species, their centres of origin and distribution,
reproductive biology, genetics, hybridisation and introgression, crop production,
interactions with other organisms, pests and pathogens, breeding methods and
biotechnological developments, and an annex on common pathogens and pests.
The OECD gratefully acknowledges the contribution of Dr. R.K. Downey (Canada),
the primary author, without whom this chapter could not have been written.
The chapter was prepared by the OECD Working Group on the Harmonisation
of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology, with Canada as the lead country.
It updates and completes the original publication on the biology of Brassica napus
issued in 1997, and was initially issued in December 2012. Data from USDA Foreign
Agricultural Service and FAOSTAT have been updated.