History of Canola

Canola was bred from rapeseed cultivars of B. napus and B. rapa at the University of Manitoba, Canada, by Keith Downey and Baldur R. Stefansson in the early 1970s. The name was originally a trademark name of the Rapeseed Association of Canada, and was a condensation of “Can” from Canada and “OLA“ meaning “Oil, low acid”. Now it is a generic term for the edible varieties of rapeseed oil in North America and Australasia. The change in name serves to distinguish it from natural rapeseed oil, which has much higher erucic acid content.

Canola belongs to the Brassica genus of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). The brassica genus includes over 30 species. Six Brassica species (B. carinata,,B. Juncea, B. Oleracia, B. napus, B. Nigra, and B. rapa) have been the subject of much scientific interest for their agricultural importance.

The B. rapa (Polish) and B. napus (Argentine) species form the basis of canola industry in Canada. Following is a chronicle account of the developments of the canola crop and industry in Canada.

1940's

1936

The first rapeseed (Polish, B. rapa) was grown in a kitchen garden in Canada T.M.

1942

Stevenson informs the Wartime Agriculture Supply Board that rapeseed can be successfully grown in Canada

1945

Rapeseed production led to the Prairies Vegetable Oils crushing facility in Moose Jaw

1948

Rapeseed production reaches 80,000 acres

1950’s

1950’s

The first rapeseed (Polish, B. rapa) was grown in a kitchen garden in Canada

1952

New markets found in Europe and Japan

1954

‘Golden’, the first B.napus (argentine) variety introduced by Agriculture Canada

1957

Dr. Keith Downey assumes responsibility for rapeseed breeding

1957

Domestic edible production begins

1960’s

1963

Futures market for rapeseed established on the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange

1964

‘Echo’, the first B. rapa (Polish) variety introduced by Agriculture Canada

1967

The Rapeseed Association of Canada is established. Low glucosinolate B. rapa variety ‘Bronowski’ was identified by Agriculture Canada

1968

ORO, the first low erucic acid (LEAR) B. napus introduced by Agriculture Canada

1970’s

1970

Canadian government encourages movement toward low erucic acid varieties

1971

SPAN, the first LEAR B. rapa

1980’s

1980

The Rapeseed Association of Canada becomes the Canola Council of Canada

1984

The first triazine tolerant B. napus, OAC Triton’ introduced by the University of Guelph

1985

The first triazine tolerant B. napus, OAC Triton’ introduced by the University of Guelph

1986

Canola trademark amended to < 2% erucic acid, meal < 30 micromoles of glucosinolates

1987

First canola with altered oil profile (low linolenic acid) B. Napus variety ‘Stellar’ introduced by the University of Manitoba

1988-1989

Canola oil receives the American Health Foundation’s Health Product of the Year award and the American College of Nutrition’s first ever Product Acceptance Award

1989

Hyola 40, the first commercial B. napus hybrid released by Advanta

1990’s

1991

Hyola 401, the first B. napus hybrid introduced by Advanta Seed

1994

Hysyn 100 and Hysyn 110, the first synthetic B. rapa varieties introduced by Advanta Seed

1995

The first Blackleg R-rated B. napus variety, ‘Quantum’ was released by the University of Alberta

Innovator, the fist transgenic B. napus variety tolerant to Liberty (glufosinate ammonium) introduced by agriculture Canada and AgrEvo

The first glyphosate tolerant (Roundup Ready) canola RT73 (later Quest) received interim registration; first full registration in the following year Limagrain LG3295

1996

The first herbicide tolerant Clearfield canola ‘45A71’ introduced by Pioneer

1997

Synbrid 220, the first synthetic B. napus, introduced by Bonis and C, bred by NPZ / Svalof Weibull

2000’s

2000

Aventis introduces the first Bromoxynil tolerant varieties but were withdrawn by 2002

2002

The first canola quality B. juncea varieties ‘Arid’ and ‘Amulet’ introduced by Agriculture Canada and the Sask. Wheat Pool

2003

Clubroot is discovered in commercial canola fields on the Prairies

2004

The first high stability canola is introduced, containing high oleic and low linoleic oil introduced by Cargill and Dow AgroSciences

2006

USDA authorizes a qualified health claim for canola oil based on high percentage of unsaturated fats

2009

The first clubroot resistant B. napus hybrid canola cultivar, 45H29, bred by Pioneer, became available to farmers

Canola growers average 35 bu/ac

2010’s

2010

Sclerotinia tolerant varieties introduced

2013

Canola Council of Canada hosts the International Clubroot Workshop

Canola growers produce a record crop averaging 40 bu/ac Bayer introduces shatter tolerant variety L140P

2014

Bayer introduces shatter tolerant variety L140P

2016

The first clubroot resistant B. napus cultivar, PV 580 GC, carrying two resistant genes, bred jointly by Crop Production Service and the University of Alberta became available to producers

2020’s

2020’s

Canola growers looking to produce 52 bu/ac

Shatter proof?

Drought tolerance?

Frost tolerance?

Nitrogen fi xation?

Winter canola?

Insect Immunity?

Disease free?

Canola Variety Registration in Western Canada

• Varieties intended for sale in western Canada are entered into trials coordinated by the Western Canada Canola/Rapeseed Recommending Committee (WCC/RRC).

• Registered commercial varieties have two years of data—one year of private data trials conducted by the seed company, and second-year trials are public data trials.

• Common check varieties are used in all years of testing. Current checks are InVigor 5440, and Pioneer brand 45H29.

• For private data trials, varieties are tested in all-season zones, with at least 12 sites total before going into public data trials.

• Quality parameters must be met, including analyses of oil, protein, glucosinolates, and fatty acids before registration

• Each plot is swathed or direct combined individually, according to maturity throughout all reps of the trial.

Canola Performance Trials

The Canola Performance Trials (CPT) represent the next generation in variety evaluation for Western Canadian canola growers and provide:

Relevant, unbiased and timely performance data reflecting actual production practices.

Comparative data on leading varieties and newly introduced varieties.

The CPT system included both small plots and large field-scale trials. It also covers short, mid, and long season zones.

Site distribution is based on seeded acres in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

For more information and the latest results on the Canola Performance Trials, please visit www.canolaperformancetrials.ca

Canola and its oil

Excerpts from displays at Canola Palooza, June 28, 2016