**9. Conclusions**

Oilseed rape is a member of the Brassicaceae family. This crop is commonly known as the oilseed rape, rapeseed, canola or colza. It has been grown for thousands of years for its oil content, and currently, it is one of the most commonly used sources of vegetable oil. Oilseed rape oil is used for edible and nonedible (industrial) purposes with various end uses, including fuels and bioproducts. It is also used as a source of protein for food and industrial applications, as a remedy, as an ornamental plant, as a fodder crop, as the source of nectar and pollen, the source for the production of cosmetics and biodegradable products and many other purposes. It is helpful to complete human and animal nutrition and prevent or fight certain diseases. All parts of oilseed rape are useful. Even the waste is used for various needs, e.g. to feed animals, recycle or fertilise the soil [1–3].

Oilseed rape oil is one of the oldest known vegetable oils, however historically, it was used in limited quantities due to high levels of erucic acid, which is damaging to cardiac muscle, and glucosinolates due to antinutritional values and adverse physiological effects when present at above the tolerance level are damaging the thyroid, kidney and liver. During the oilseed rape breeding process, erucic acid and glucosinolate in the seeds have dramatically reduced. In contrast, oil content, seed yield, and disease resistance have been significantly improved. Improved end-use quality has increased the market for oilseed rape seed and its products [19].

Oilseed rape is a very productive oil source. It produces more oil per unit of land area than other oil sources. Its productivity depends on a list of factors. These are the genetic potential, the characteristics of the environment (soil, humidity (water), climatic and biotic conditions) and management strategies (crop sequence, rotation, and tilth options). Also, nevertheless, oilseed rape is a self-pollinating plant;

*Oilseed Rape: Biology, Use, Current Cultivation Issues and Agronomic Management DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109180*

however, the pollination by bees increases the final yield. Moreover, winter oilseed rape is, on average, 45% more productive than spring oilseed rape [12, 16].

This review summarises the knowledge on oilseed rape importance, prevalence, breeding improvements and the issues of its cultivation and management.
