Brassica carinata

Brassica carinata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Brassica
Species: B. carinata
Binomial name
Brassica carinata
A.Braun

Brassica carinata (Ethiopian mustard, Abyssinian mustard) is a member of the Triangle of U species (U, 1935) in the agriculturally significant Brassica genus. It has 34 chromosomes with genome composition BBCC, and is thought to result from an ancestral hybridisation event between Brassica nigra (genome composition BB) and Brassica oleracea (genome composition CC) (Prakash and Hinata, 1980). Although B. carinata is cultivated as an oilseed crop in Ethiopia (Alemayehu and Becker, 2004), it has generally high levels of undesirable glucosinolates and erucic acid (Getinet et al. 1997), making it a poor choice for general cultivation as an oilseed crop in comparison to the closely related Brassica napus (Rapeseed).[1] [2] [3] [4]

The plant is also grown as a leaf vegetable, with a mild flavor. It is known as yabesha gomen in Amharic.[5] Named varieties include Texsel, which is particularly adapted to temperate climates.[6]

The flowers are very attractive to honey bees which collect both pollen and nectar.

This plant is also part of a research to develop an aviation biofuel for jet engines.[7] On October 29 of 2012, the first flight of a jet aircraft powered with 100 percent biofuel, made from brassica carinata, was completed.[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ Alemaheyu, N. and Becker, H. (2002), "Genotypic diversity and patterns of variation in a germplasm material of Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun)", Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 49(6):573-582
  2. ↑ Getinet, A., Rakow, G., Raney, J. P. and Downey, R. K.(1997) "Glucosinolate content in interspecific crosses of Brassica carinata with B. juncea and B. napus", Plant Breeding 116 (1):39–46
  3. ↑ Prakash, S. and Hinata, K. (1980), "Taxonomy, cytogenetics and origin of crop Brassicas, a review", Opera Botanica, 55:1-57
  4. ↑ U, N. (1935), "Genome-analysis in Brassica with special reference to the experimental formation of B. napus and peculiar mode of fertilization.", Japanese Journal of Botany, 7:389-452
  5. ↑ Zemede Asfaw, "Conservation and use of traditional vegetables in Ethiopia", Proceedings of the IPGRI International Workshop on Genetic Resources of Traditional Vegetables in Africa (Nairobi, 29–31 August 1995)
  6. ↑ Plants for a Future (2008-06-10). "Brassica carinata".
  7. ↑ Lane, James (18 April 2012), "Tinker, tailor, sailor, fly", BioFuels Digest, retrieved 31 January 2015
  8. ↑ http://www.asdnews.com/news-46032/First_solely-biofuel_jet_flight_raises_clean_travel_hopes.htm
  9. ↑ "NRC Flies World's First Civil Jet Powered by 100 Percent Biofuel". Aero-news Network. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.