Multipurpose uses of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) crop (food, feed, industrial, medicinal, and environmental conservation uses) and improvement strategies in China

Following rapid economic and social development over the past few decades, developing multipurpose plant species with environmental conservation benefits has become a major challenge. This review explores the multifunctional utilization and industrial significance of rapeseed, along with its environmental applications, to provide insights into future improvements. Additionally, it highlights the multifunctional uses and improvements in China. Rapeseed is primarily cultivated for edible oil production, biodiesel, industrial chemicals, and animal feed. Recent advancements in breeding programs, molecular techniques, and modern agronomic strategies have significantly enhanced rapeseed productivity and multifunctional applications. In China, new rapeseed lines with high oil content and superior composition quality have been developed, along with forage rapeseed cropping systems that utilize vegetative parts for animal feed. Beyond its agricultural and industrial roles, rapeseed provides numerous environmental benefits, such as serving as a cover crop, suppressing weeds, improving soil fertility as green manure, and aiding in the phytoremediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soils. Additionally, rapeseed biomass can be processed into biochar, contributing to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Its capacity to reduce carbon dioxide emissions further establishes its role as a sustainable crop. At the ecological and economic levels, rapeseed fields offer aesthetic and tourism value, attracting visitors during early spring in Southern China and mid-summer in Northern China. Furthermore, rapeseed serves as an essential nectar and pollen source for honey production, medicinal extracts, and anticancer compounds. Innovations in genetic modifications and precision agriculture techniques also open new avenues for enhancing rapeseed resilience to environmental stress, improving oil yield, and expanding its applications in pharmaceuticals and biodegradable materials. This review emphasizes the multi-functionality of rapeseed as a promising crop for sustainable development. It confirms that rapeseed cultivation can enhance agricultural productivity, support environmental conservation, and reduce ecological risks, particularly in newly reclaimed lands under the pressures of global climate change.