​ABSTRACT

Rapeseed (Brasicca napus L.) oil content of the seed ranges from 38.0 to 48.0 % and protein content ranges from 16 to 24. Rapeseed production in the world ranks in second place after soybeen (Glycine max L.) Rapeseed also known as rapiska, kolza, and canola in Turkey. It has winter and spring types varieties. It grows well on well-drained soils that pH level can be change between 5.5 and 8.3. The winter types rapeseed can be grown Trakya, Marmara, Black see, transational regions, and spring types can be grown in Mediterranean, Aegean and Southeast Anatolian region of Turkey. Rapeseed is very usefull in crop rotation with cereals for decreasing root diseases, increasing soil organic matter and sustainable agriculture. It gives opportunity to grow double crop in irrigated soil conditions because of early harvest. Long flowering of rapeseed plants in early Spring help to honey bees for collecting pollen.

Growing enough oil seed crops in Turkey, it is possible with increasing yield, planting areas and introducing into crop rotation new alternative oil seed crops like rapeseed. Increasing rapeseed production in Turkey will support biodiesel industry to get best quality vegetable oil to produce renewal, alternative fuel sources instead of imported diesel oil.

Key words: Rapeseed (Brasicca napus L.), crop rotation, production.