Abstract: Novel lines of Brassica juncea yield an edible oil that has properties similar to canola oil. More specifically, the oil has an oleic acid content of at least 55% by weight, a linoleic acid content of less than 25% by weight, a linolenic acid content of less than 14% by weight, a erucic acid content of less than 1% by weight, a palmitic acid content of less than 6% by weight, a stearic acid content of less than 2.5% by weight, and a total saturated acid content of less than 7.1% by weight. The novel lines of B. juncea plant have a lineage that includes both lines J90-3450 and J90-4316, these being known lines of B. juncea, and may be formed by conventional cross fertilization or other means. The novel lines can be grown in harsher environments than conventional canola species and are high-yielding and disease-resistant.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides for the use of an ADS1 or ADS2 &Dgr;9 fatty acid desaturase to selectively increase the relative proportion of oleic acid in the fatty acid of a plant part, such as in the oil of a mature seed. In some embodiments, the proportion of oleic acid may be increased preferentially, without a corresponding or proportional increase in palmitoleic acid.

Abstract: In one aspect, of the invention provides novel tetraploid Brassica plants having no more than two expressible FAD2 coding sequences, capable of producing canola quality oils. Other aspects of the invention provides new variants of the FAD2 enzyme, comprising BjFAD2-b and BjFAD2-a, as well as nucleic acid sequences encoding such peptides. Other aspects of the invention includes nucleic acid sequences upstream from the BjFAD2-b or BjFAD2-a ORFs. Other aspects of the invention include transgenic plants and plant parts. Vectors capable of transforming plant cells are provided, comprising the nucleic acids of the invention, including FAD2 coding sequences. Corresponding methods are provided for obtaining the transgenic plants of the invention. Methods are provided for using the plants of the invention, including selected plants and transgenic plants, to obtain plant products.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides for the use of an ADS1 or ADS2 &Dgr;9 fatty acid desaturase to selectively increase the relative proportion of oleic acid in the fatty acid of a plant part, such as in the oil of a mature seed. In some embodiments, the proportion of oleic acid may be increased preferentially, without a corresponding or proportional increase in palmitoleic acid.

Abstract: Novel lines of Brassica juncea yield an edible oil that has properties similar to canola oil. More specifically, the oil has an oleic acid content of at least 55% by weight, a linoleic acid content of less than 25% by weight, a linolenic acid content of less than 14% by weight, a erucic acid content of less than 1% by weight, a palmitic acid content of less than 6% by weight, a stearic acid content of less than 2.5% by weight, and a total saturated acid content of less than 7.1% by weight. The novel lines of B. juncea plant have a lineage that includes both lines J90-3450 and J90-4316, these being known lines of B. juncea, and may be formed by conventional cross fertilization or other means. The novel lines can be grown in harsher environments than conventional canola species and are high-yielding and disease-resistant.