An international team of scientists who have successfully mapped the genome of Brassica Napus – better known as oilseed rape – have said their discovery of the sequence has laid bare an "evolutionary love triangle."

The scientists, who published their findings in the journal Science, said their breakthrough paves the way for improving the key field crop, which is widely grown around the world. Oilseed rape is the third most commonly used vegetable oil worldwide, and the second most common source of protein for animal feed. The crop also

has industrial uses and has been produced in Britain since at least the 14^th Century.

Native to Europe, the plant gets its name from the latin for turnip.

"This genome sequence opens new doors to accelerating the improvement of canola," said professor Andrew Paterson from the University of Georgia, at Athens. "We can use this knowledge to tailor the plant's flowering time, make it more resistant to disease and improve a myriad of other traits that will make it more profitable for production."

Canola has one of the most complex genomes among flowering plants. It formed thousands of years ago during the Neolithic Era when two plant species – Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea – combined in the wild. Plants in the B. rapa family include turnips and cabbages, while B. oleracea contains cauliflower, cabbage, collards, broccoli, kale and other common vegetables.

The Plant Genome Mapping Laboratory, which mapped the oilseed rape genome, also played prominent roles in the sequencing both B. rapa and B. oleracea in 2011 and 2014, respectively.

"Understanding the genomes of B. rapa and B. oleracea was key to piecing together the canola genome," prof Paterson said. "It's like a genetic love triangle between the three species, with canola sometimes favouring genes from B. rapa or B. oleracea or sometimes both."