Evaluation of Sinapis alba, native to Israel, as a rich source of erucic acid in seed oil.

Sinapis alba seed accessions (280) were collected from the native flora in Israel, and their oil was analysed for fatty acid composition. The 34 accessions with the highest erucic acid content (abhove 55%) were grown at the Bet Dagan Experiment Station. Based on their agronomic and chemical performance, 11 lines were selectef for a field trial. Following 2 years of cultivation, a significant improvement wasobtained in yield (44%), oil content (15%), erucic acid content (2%) and seed size (17%). Evaluating three selected lines in different geographical location showed that a cooler climate promotes greater oil content and seed size. However, the best seed yield was obtained in the temperate climate of the Bet Dagan Experiment Station Line "Bet agan" was the best with a yield potential of 665 kg erucic acid per hectare. Based on the results of this work, S. alba can be considered as a potential new oil crop for industrial purposes.