Identification of new FAD2 mutants which result in plants with a more desirable oleic acid composition than in known plants. For the first time, this patent disclosure provides a complete characterization of the genome of a given germplasm of Brassica napus, and reports that there are, in fact, four FAD2 genes in any given genotype, and that in any given germplasm, one or more of the genes are active, thereby reducing the total percentage of oleic acid achievable in the total fatty acids produced in that germplasm. Armed with this knowledge, the inventors herein have produced a novel series of modifications in the genome of various Brassica napus germplasms and provide a germplasm with a compromised and/or totally inactive set of FAD2 genes.
