Quick facts
| Arabic name | الكانولا |
|---|---|
| English name | Canola (Oilseed Rape) |
| Scientific name | Brassica napus |
| Family | Cabbage family (Brassicaceae) |
| Plant type | Winter oil crop |
| Height | 1 to 1.5 m |
| Water use | Medium |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to November
Harvest time
March to April
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
An upright plant with blue-green leaves, many yellow flowers and thin pods with small black seeds.
Where it grows
Tested and grown in Al-Qassim, Al-Jouf, Hail and Tabuk.
Soil
Prefers well-drained light loam.
Water and irrigation
Moderate watering.
Climate and light
Likes a cool winter.
Propagation
From seeds sown directly.
Benefits and uses
- Seeds are rich in oil
- Flowers are good for bees
Drawbacks
- Pods open and drop seeds if harvest is late
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Brassica napus
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Brassica napus
- Wikipedia: Rapeseed
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)