AbstractSeeds of oilseed turnip (Brassica rapa L var oleifera) were collected from several different geographic regions extending from the People's Republic of China through India and Europe to Canada. Fatty acid and glucosinolate profiles were generated for each of the 60 entries. A wide variation was found between entries. The fatty acid profiles could be grouped in three main categories: low (< 10%), high (>40%) or intermediate (20–25%) erucic acid content. The corresponding oleic acid contents were high, low or intermediate, respectively. Nine glucosinolates were found. The most abundant were gluconapin, glucobrassicanapin and progoitrin. Sinigrin and glucoiberin were not detected and these two components are suggested as possibly specific for the B oleracea group. The 60 entries could be classified into four groups using the unstandardised fatty acid and glucosinolate data, but we were not successful in cultivar identification using the same data. The fatty acid and glucosinolate profiles are too similar to allow any reliable discrimination among cultivars.