A SCOTTISH scientist thinks that crops of coriander could replace oil
seed rape, and bring relief to the thousands who suffer summer misery
when the fields turn bright yellow each May.
Those same fields could turn snow-white in the summer with the flowers
of coriander. The thick pollen of the rape flower would be replaced with
a whiff of spice.
Coriander, first introduced to Britain from the Mediterranean by the
Romans, is also prized for its medicinal properties -- the seeds of the
coriander are regarded as a cure for flatulence.
Scientists say that the seeds, used commercially as an ingredient in
curries, can yield natural oils needed to make nylon and detergent and
save Britain a #120m annual imports bill for coconut oil.
Now they are working to improve the existing coriander strains by
genetic engineering.
Dr Steve Millam, of the Scottish Crop Research Institute at
Invergowrie, near Dundee, has grown Britain's first field of coriander.
He said: ''We are always looking at ways of diversifying our crops.
Most people are sick and tired of oil seed rape, and, of course, some
people are literally sick of it.
''Coriander does not give off the horrible odour that oil seed rape
does. As well as being environmentally friendly, coriander contains
valuable oils needed for industry.
''Coriander provides possiblities to diversify the agricultural
landscape and boost rural economies.
''It has the potential to take off as a crop because you can extract
oils from it. These can be split into two groups, with half used for
making nylon and half for detergent and soap powder.''
Earlier this year, doctors at Dundee University produced the first
study linking oil seed rape to respiratory diseases and asthma-like
symptoms.
Oil seed rape is grown on half-a-million acres in Britain and is worth
#233m to the farming economy.
Dr Millam's colleagues are attempting to engineer a less obnoxious
form of oil seed rape genetically, but he believes that coriander is a
suitable alternative.
He said: ''Genetically engineered oil seed rape is being developed at
the moment. But why bother? Why not grow a few more different crops?
Coriander can be grown on a field scale. It is growing in a field at
Invergowrie, although we still need to improve its oil content.''
Coriander grows wild in the South of England.
The ancient Chinese believed the seeds could confer immortality. They
are used by some distillers to flavour gin, and were once used by vets
as a drug for horses and cattle.
Coriander ''comfits'' -- seeds coated in white sugar, were once sold
by confectioners as a cure for indigestion and flatulence.
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