Oilseed Crops Overview

Study Notes

Oilseed Crops

Oilseed crops are cultivated primarily for oil production.
Sesamum (Sesamum indicum L.) is known as the "Queen of Oilseed crops" and has the highest oil content (48-52%). It belongs to the Pedaliaceae family and originated in Africa.
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is a legume rich in both oil (40-45%) and protein (20-26%). It originated in Brazil and belongs to the Leguminoseae family.
Linseed (Linum usitatissimum), a flaxseed, is a valuable source of both oil (33-47%) and fiber. It belongs to the Linaceae family and originated in Afghanistan.
Caster (Ricinus communis) is a non-edible oilseed crop, known for its laxative properties. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and originated in Africa.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) contains 45-50% oil, with linoleic acid being a key ingredient. It belongs to the Compositae family and originated in Mexico.
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), another member of the Compositae family, is rich in 24-36% oil, with linoleic acid being a key component. It originated in Afghanistan.
Soybean (Glycine max), a legume, is a significant source of oil (20%) and protein. It belongs to the Leguminacae family and originated in China.
Taramera (Eruca sativa) contains 35% oil and is characterized by its high erucic acid content. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family and originated in Africa.
Mustard (Brassica spp.) is known as the "King of Oilseed crops" and typically contains 33-34% oil. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family and originated in China, India, and Afghanistan.
The Yellow Revolution refers to the advancements made in oilseed production.
Groundnut is the primary oilseed crop in India and is the most consumed oil in India.
Soybean is the world's most consumed oil.
The main oilseed crop of Rajasthan is Mustard.
Sulfur is used to increase the oil content in oilseed crops.
Groundnut and Soybean are both oilseed and pulse crops.
Sunflower is a DNP plant (dicot, non-photosynthetic).
Most oilseed crops exhibit epigeal germination and are C3 plants.
Fluchlorelien (as PPI) and pendimethylien (as PE) are commonly used herbicides for weed management in oilseed crops..
There are 7 edible and 2 non-edible (Caster and Linseed) oilseed crops in India.
Soybean and groundnut are the only two oilseed crops that are legumes.

Rapeseed - Mustard

Botanical Name: Brassica spp.
Family: Brassicaceae
Origin: China, India, and Afghanistan.
Inflorescence: Raceme (Catcan)
Fruit Type: Silicua (pod)

Different Varieties of Mustard

Sarson:
- Yellow Sarson: (B. campestris var. yellow sarson) 2n=20 chromosomes
- Brown Sarson: (B. campestris var. brown sarson) 2n=20 chromosomes
Toria:
- Yellow Toria: (B. campestris var. yellow toria) 2n=20 chromosomes
- Black Toria: (B. campestris var. black toria) 2n=20 chromosomes
Rai:
- Indian Mustard: (Brassica juncea) 2n=36 chromosomes
- Rugosa: (Brassica juncea var. rugosa) 2n=36 chromosomes
- Paharai Rai: (Brassica juncea var. rugosa) 2n=36 chromosomes
- Black Mustafa: (Brassica nigra) 2n=16 chromosomes
- Banarsi Rai: (Brassica nigra) 2n=16 chromosomes

Key Institutions

Oilseed Technology Mission: Established in 1986.
Indian Oilseed Research Institute: Located in Rajender Nagar, Hyderabad.
Directorate of Groundnut Research (National Research Center for Groundnut): Located in Junagarh, Gujrat.
Directorate of Soybean (National Research Center for Soybean): Located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
National Research Center for Mustard (NRCM): Located in Sewar, Bhartpur, Rajasthan. It was converted into the Directorate Rapeseed and Mustard Research (DRMR) in 2009.