SafePlants

Brassica carinata: The Versatile Ethiopian Mustard

Brassica carinata, commonly known as Ethiopian mustard, Abyssinian mustard, or simply carinata, is a fascinating plant with diverse applications, from biofuel production to agriculture.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Brassica carinata A. Braun
• Common Names: Ethiopian mustard, Abyssinian mustard, Ethiopian rape, African kale, Abyssinian cabbage.
• Family: Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)
• Synonyms:
  • Brassica integrifolia var. carinata (West) Rupr
  • Melanosinapis abyssinica Hort. ex Regel
  • Sinapis abyssinica A.Braun
• Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 501051

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is a member of the mustard family.

Distribution and Habitat

• Brassica carinata is native to Ethiopia and occupies a significant place in Ethiopian agriculture.
• It is also found in the United States, where it is considered an exotic species.
• It can be found in rubbish tips, waste ground, and arable fields, often arising from bird-, oil- and agricultural seed dispersal.

Ecological Role

• While valuable as a crop, Brassica carinata can be repeatedly introduced and potentially become a weed in certain environments, as indicated by weed risk assessments.
• It is important to maintain isolation distances (e.g., 200 meters) from other Brassica species to prevent cross-pollination in field trials.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Brassica carinata is an annual plant that grows to approximately 1 meter (3ft 3in) tall.
• It is a fast-growing leafy plant.
• The flowers are hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female reproductive organs.
• It is not frost tender.

Genetic and Cytological Information

• Brassica carinata is an amphidiploid, meaning it possesses two sets of chromosomes derived from different species. Specifically, one genome comes from Brassica nigra (L.) Koch and the other from Brassica oleracea L.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Brassica carinata can be affected by pathogens such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Pseudocercosporella capsellae, leading to research on resistance mechanisms.

Agricultural and Industrial Significance

• Brassica carinata is an oilseed crop with high oil content and a favorable fatty acid profile, making it suitable for biodiesel production.
• The oil profile is optimized for use in the biofuel industry, particularly for biojet fuel. Jet fuel produced from carinata can be formulated as a 100% replacement.
• It is being developed as a biorefinery and bioindustrial oils crop platform, utilizing both traditional and molecular breeding techniques.
• Research focuses on optimizing oil extraction and processing, including transesterification for biodiesel production.
• Efforts are underway to improve the crop through genetic modification and breeding for traits like low glucosinolate content.

Quirky Facts

• Brassica carinata is part of the "Triangle of U" species, a concept developed by U (1935) that explains the genetic relationships between several Brassica species.

Further Information

• Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.
• ITIS Report: Brassica carinata A. Braun (TSN 501051)
• The Plant List
• IPNI (International Plant Names Index)