Introduction
a) Brassica rapa.
The brassica rapa is a plant species that belongs to the genus Brassica and is one of the 51 genera in the tribe brassicae of the crucifer family (also known as the mustard family) (Rakow, 2004, pg.1). Within this family, there are the other 37 different members that provide edible seeds, flowers, stems, buds, and leaves (Rakow, 2004, pg.1). Based on their morphological characteristics there are three distinct groups of B. rapa. These include the oleiferous (oil-type rape) such as the Canadian Polish rape, the leafy-type B. rapa that includes the chinensis group, and the rapiferous-type ...