EFFECT OF VARIETY AND GROWING CONDITIONS ON THE PROTEIN AND AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF RAPESEED

Abstract

The protein content and the distribution of essential amino acids in the protein of six varieties or strains of rapeseed grown at three widely separated locations in Alberta, Beaverlodge, Edmonton and Lethbridge, were studied. Differences in protein content and amino acid distribution in the protein of the seed attributable to varietal or strain effects were noted. Turkish and Polish rapeseed were significantly lower in protein content than rapeseed of the Argentine variety. The Argentine variety and the two strains of Argentine-type studied were significantly lower in lysine than the Polish variety. Station differences in protein content approached significance at the 5 per cent level while location had a highly significant effect on the lysine content of the protein of the seed and significant effects on the histidine, arginine, phenylalanine and leucine content.