Showing papers on "Rapeseed published in 2009"

Status and perspectives of breeding for enhanced yield and quality of oilseed crops for Europe.

Abstract: Vegetable oils are a high-value agricultural commodity for use in refined edible oil products and as renewable industrial or fuel oils, and as the world population increases demand for high-quality seed oils continues to grow Worldwide the oilseed market is dominated by soybean (Glycinemax), followed by oilseed rape/canola (Brassicanapus) In Europe the major oilseed crop is oilseed rape (B napus), followed some way behind by sunflower (Helianthusannuus) and other minor crops like linseed (Linumusitatissimum) or camelina (Camelinasativa) The seed oil of these crops is characterized by a specific quality, ie fatty acid composition and other fat-soluble compounds: Camelina and linseed oils are characterised by high contents of linolenic acid (C18:3); in sunflower very high-oleic (up to 90% C18:1) types exist in addition to classical high-linoleic (C18:2) oilseeds; in B napus a broad diversity of oil-types is available in addition to the modern 00 (canola) type, eg high-erucic acid rapeseed or high-oleic and low-linolenic cultivars Moreover, vegetable oils contain valuable minor compounds such as tocopherols (vitamin E) Increases of such contents by breeding have lead to value-added edible oils After oil extraction, oilseed meals—such as rapeseed extraction meal—contain a high-quality protein that can be used as a valuable animal feed However, in comparison to soybean the meal from oilseed rape also contains relatively high amounts of anti-nutritive fibre compounds, phenolic acids, phytate and glucosinolates Breeding efforts with respect to meal quality are therefore aimed at reduction of anti-nutritive components, while increasing the oil content, quality and yield also remains a major aim in oilseed rape breeding This review article provides a general overview of the status of oilseed production in Europe and uses examples from winter oilseed rape to illustrate key breeding aims for sustainable and high-yielding production of high-quality vegetable oil Emphasis is placed on analytical tools for high-throughput selection of overall seed quality

Protein composition of oil bodies from mature Brassica napus seeds.

Abstract: Seed oil bodies (OBs) are intracellular particles storing lipids as food or biofuel reserves in oleaginous plants. Since Brassica napus OBs could be easily contaminated with protein bodies and/or myrosin cells, they must be purified step by step using floatation technique in order to remove non-specifically trapped proteins. An exhaustive description of the protein composition of rapeseed OBs from two double-zero varieties was achieved by a combination of proteomic and genomic tools. Genomic analysis led to the identification of sequences coding for major seed oil body proteins, including 19 oleosins, 5 steroleosins and 9 caleosins. Most of these proteins were also identified through proteomic analysis and displayed a high level of sequence conservation with their Arabidopsis thaliana counterparts. Two rapeseed oleosin orthologs appeared acetylated on their N-terminal alanine residue and both caleosins and steroleosins displayed a low level of phosphorylation.

Yield and yield components of rapeseed as influenced by water stress at different growth stages and nitrogen levels.

Abstract: Irrigated rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivation is currently expanding in rotation with winter cereals in Iran where its reproductive growth is often exposed to water deficit in many parts, particularly in the south. A two growing seasons (2006-2008) field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Research Center, Shiraz University to study the effects of water stress at different growth stages (Normal irrigation at all growth stages (control), water stress at flowering, at pod development and at seed filling stages) and nitrogen (N) levels (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg ha ) on yield and yield components of rapeseed (Telayeh cultivar). The design was split -1 plots arranged in randomized complete block with four replications. Full irrigation and the highest N level had the highest plant height, number of branches per plant, pods per plant, seed and oil yields. However, increased N levels decreased seed oil content and had no significant effect on 1000-seed weight. Flowering was the most sensitive stage for water stress damage resulting a drastic reduction in seed and oil yields by 29.5% and 31.7%, respectively. Pods per plants was the most sensitive yield components to water stress during reproductive growth in both year and it had the highest significant positive correlation with seed and biological yields. The seed and oil yields of the 1 season were more than the 2 season due to favorable weather conditions for st nd growth. Overall, supplying sufficient water to rapeseed crop, particularly at flowering and pod formation, in comparison with 225 kg ha of N fertilizer are important to produce higher yields. -1

Quantitative Proteomics of Seed Filling in Castor: Comparison with Soybean and Rapeseed Reveals Differences between Photosynthetic and Nonphotosynthetic Seed Metabolism

Abstract: Seed maturation or seed filling is a phase of development that plays a major role in the storage reserve composition of a seed. In many plant seeds photosynthesis plays a major role in this process, although oilseeds, such as castor (Ricinus communis), are capable of accumulating oil without the benefit of photophosphorylation to augment energy demands. To characterize seed filling in castor, a systematic quantitative proteomics study was performed. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to resolve and quantify Cy-dye-labeled proteins expressed at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks after flowering in biological triplicate. Expression profiles for 660 protein spot groups were established, and of these, 522 proteins were confidently identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry by mining against the castor genome. Identified proteins were classified according to function, and the most abundant groups of proteins were involved in protein destination and storage (34%), energy (19%), and metabolism (15%). Carbon assimilatory pathways in castor were compared with previous studies of photosynthetic oilseeds, soybean (Glycine max) and rapeseed (Brassica napus). These comparisons revealed differences in abundance and number of protein isoforms at numerous steps in glycolysis. One such difference was the number of enolase isoforms and their sum abundance; castor had approximately six times as many isoforms as soy and rapeseed. Furthermore, Rubisco was 11-fold less prominent in castor compared to rapeseed. These and other differences suggest some aspects of carbon flow, carbon recapture, as well as ATP and NADPH production in castor differs from photosynthetic oilseeds.

Increasing erucic acid content through combination of endogenous low polyunsaturated fatty acids alleles with Ld-LPAAT + Bn-fae1 transgenes in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract: High erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR) oil is of interest for industrial purposes because erucic acid (22:1) and its derivatives are important renewable raw materials for the oleochemical industry. Currently available cultivars contain only about 50% erucic acid in the seed oil. A substantial increase in erucic acid content would significantly reduce processing costs and could increase market prospects of HEAR oil. It has been proposed that erucic acid content in rapeseed is limited because of insufficient fatty acid elongation, lack of insertion of erucic acid into the central sn-2 position of the triaclyglycerol backbone and due to competitive desaturation of the precursor oleic acid (18:1) to linoleic acid (18:2). The objective of the present study was to increase erucic content of HEAR winter rapeseed through over expression of the rapeseed fatty acid elongase gene (fae1) in combination with expression of the lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase gene from Limnanthes douglasii (Ld-LPAAT), which enables insertion of erucic acid into the sn-2 glycerol position. Furthermore, mutant alleles for low contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids (18:2 + 18:3) were combined with the transgenic material. Selected transgenic lines showed up to 63% erucic acid in the seed oil in comparison to a mean of 54% erucic acid of segregating non-transgenic HEAR plants. Amongst 220 F(2) plants derived from the cross between a transgenic HEAR line and a non-transgenic HEAR line with a low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, recombinant F(2) plants were identified with an erucic acid content of up to 72% and a polyunsaturated fatty acid content as low as 6%. Regression analysis revealed that a reduction of 10% in polyunsaturated fatty acids content led to a 6.5% increase in erucic acid content. Results from selected F(2) plants were confirmed in the next generation by analysing F(4) seeds harvested from five F(3) plants per selected F(2) plant. F(3) lines contained up to 72% erucic acid and as little as 4% polyunsaturated fatty acids content in the seed oil. The 72% erucic acid content of rapeseed oil achieved in the present study represents a major breakthrough in breeding high erucic acid rapeseed.

Genetic variability and association studies of some quantitative characters in winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract: Information of the variability and the extent and type of relationship of some quantitative characters in rapeseed is important for an efficient breeding program. In addition, the association between seed yield and quality characters, oil and protein content, is of major interest. 10 winter rapeseed genotypes were evaluated for variation, genetic and phenotypic correlations and broad sense heritability for seed yield, yield and quality characters for 2 years. The results revealed significant differences for all yield and quality characters indicated the presence of sufficient genetic variability for effective selection. Variability, broad sense heritability, genetic advance were maximum for oil yield, seed yield followed by protein yield. In addition, very strong correlations were estimated among them. Simultaneous selection regarding seed yield would be an effective way to increase oil yield and protein yield. Plant height was associated with seed yield, oil yield, protein yield, number of pods on main stem and pod length. In conclusion, plant height, pod length, oil yield and protein yield were efficient characters as selection criteria.

Canola oil increases in polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreases in oleic acid in drought‐stressed Mediterranean‐type environments

Abstract: Seed fatty acid (FA) composition, oil and protein (meal) was assessed on five canola (Brassica napus) varieties in 14 cropping environments in southern Australia, including several low rainfall drought-stressed environments. We modelled the relationship between seed quality attributes and growing season rainfall and temperature using a linear mixed model. Variance components for variety and years within locations were relatively large, but variance components for variety x environment interaction were small or insignificant for most seed quality traits. Mean oleic acid content varied from 57% in 'Surpass 300TT' to 62% in 'ATR-Beacon'. As growing season rainfall decreased from 300 mm (moderate) to 150 mm (severe drought stress), mean oleic acid decreased by 3.8%, linoleic acid increased by 2.0%, linolenic acid increased by 1.7%, and saturated FA decreased by 0.4%. Seed oil (% dry weight) decreased by 3.2% and protein in meal (% dry weight) increased by 3.9% across the same rainfall range. High oleic acid composition was associated with higher rainfall and cooler average minimum and maximum temperatures during the growing season.

Preparation and antioxidative properties of a rapeseed ( Brassica napus ) protein hydrolysate and three peptide fractions.

Abstract: This study investigated the possibility of converting the insoluble rapeseed meal protein into functionally active ingredients for food applications. The rapeseed (Brassica napus) meal protein isol...

Erucic‐acid heredity in rapeseed:(Brassica napus L. and Brassica campestris L.)

Abstract: The erucic-acid content in rape is controlled by multiple alleles and several homozygosity levels are found. Such levels between 5–10, 10–35 and with more than 35% erucic acid are controlled by alleles at one, one or two and two loci, respectively. The least effective allele, which can give less than 2% erucic acid, can be distinguished from the allele for absence of erucic acid because it gives more than 8% eicosenoic acid. The erucic-acid content in turnip rape is controlled by multiple alleles at one locus. The correlation between the contents of erucic and eicosenoic acid is positive at erucic-acid levels up to 25% but negative at higher levels. For erucic-acid contents up to 30% the alleles show additive effect concerning the erucic-acid content, while at higher concentrations partial dominance is common. Concerning the eicosenoic-acid content, partial dominance prevails for alleles which give a lower erucic-acid content and strong overdominance for alleles with more effective erucic-acid production.

Breeding for improved oil and meal quality in rape (Brassica napus L.) and turnip rape (Brassica campestris L.)

Abstract: The plant breeding in rapeseed is to-day strongly directed towards improved oil and meal quality. For edible purposes an oil free from erucic and eicosenoic acid, with high linoleic and low linolenic acid content is desirable, while for technical purposes a high erucic acid content is demanded. The combination of the half-seed and the backcross methods has implied considerable advantages in the breeding work in comparison with the inbreeding method. As a result Gulliver, a high-yielding, low-erucic-acid variety of summer rape, was released in 1977. Removal of the glucosinolates from the rape meal will considerably increase its feed-stuff value. Besides, a turnover to yellow-seeded material is advantageous to the exploitation of the low glucosinolate meal as a protein source for human beings. The breeding work has resulted in promising lines of rape and turnip rape low in both erucic acid and glucosinolate content. In summer turnip rape material including also high linoleic acid content and yellow seed colour is built up.

Breeding response of transcript profiling in developing seeds of Brassica napus

Abstract: The upgrading of rapeseed cultivars has resulted in a substantial improvement in yield and quality in China over the past 30 years. With the selective pressure against fatty acid composition and oil content, high erucic acid- and low oil-content cultivars have been replaced by low erucic acid- and high oil-content cultivars. The high erucic acid cultivar Zhongyou 821 and its descendent, low erucic acid cultivar Zhongshuang 9, are representatives of two generations of the most outstanding Chinese rapeseed cultivars (B. napus) developed the past 2 decades. This paper compares the transcriptional profiles of Zhongshuang 9 and Zhongyou 821 for 32 genes that are principally involved in lipid biosynthesis during seed development in order to elucidate how the transcriptional profiles of these genes responded to quality improvement over the past 20 years. Comparison of the cultivar Zhongyou 821 with its descendent, Zhongshuang 9, shows that the transcriptional levels of seven of the 32 genes were upregulated by 30% to 109%, including FAD3, ACCase, FAE1, GKTP, Caleosin, GAPDH, and PEPC. Of the 32 genes, 10 (KAS3, β-CT, BcRK6, P450, FatA, Oleosin, FAD6, FatB, α-CT and SUC1) were downregulated by at least 20% and most by 50%. The Napin gene alone accounted for over 75% of total transcription from all 32 genes assessed in both cultivars. Most of the genes showed significant correlation with fatty acid accumulation, but the correlation in ZS9 was significantly different from that in ZY821. Higher KCR2 activity is associated with higher C16:0, C18:0, and C18:2 in both cultivars, lower C22:1 and total fatty acid content in ZY821, and lower 18:1 in ZS9. This paper illustrates the response of the transcription levels of 32 genes to breeding in developing rapeseed seeds. Both cultivars showed similar transcription profiles, with the Napin gene predominantly transcribed. Selective pressure for zero erucic acid, low glucosinolate, high oleic acid and high oil content, as well as high yield, resulted in higher FAD3, ACCase, FAE1, GKTP, Caleosin, GAPDH, and PEPC expression levels and lower KAS3, β-CT, BcRK6, P450, FatA, Oleosin, FAD6, FatB, α-CT and SUC1 expression levels. It also resulted in altered relationships between these genes during storage accumulation in seed development.

Chemical composition of brazilian sunflower varieties

Abstract: SUMMARY Sunflower is the world fourth most important source of edible oil, after palm oil, soybean and rapeseed/canola. Sunflower acreage in Brazil has been consolidated due to the constant efforts in genetic and agronomical studies carried out by Brazilian research institutions. Although easily adapted to many Brazilian regions, genetic and agronomical improvements were needed so that economically viable crops could be harvested. Sunflower varieties with interesting oil composition as well as noteworthy protein quality were obtained. As part of these efforts, two new varieties were developed by Embrapa Soybean, Embrapa 122 V2000 and Embrapa F2 BRS 191. This work was aimed at evaluating the chemical composition of the seeds, defatted meal and oil quality of these varieties. The oil content varied from 44 to 52% in F2 BRS and from 36 to 47% in E 122. Linoleic (62-69%) and oleic (20-25%) were the major fatty acids in both varieties. The protein content of the defatted meal ranged from 28 to 32%. Slight differences were observed in amino acids profile, sterols and chlorogenic acid content.

Combustion Characterization of Rapeseed Meal and Possible Combustion Applications

Abstract: A future shortage of biomass fuel can be foreseen The production of rapeseed oil for a number of purposes is increasing, among others, for biodiesel production A byproduct from the oil extraction

Heterotic patterns in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.): II. Crosses between European winter and Chinese semi-winter lines.

Abstract: Chinese semi-winter rapeseed is genetically diverse from European winter rapeseed. Our objectives were (1) to evaluate the potential of semi-winter rapeseed for winter rapeseed hybrid breeding, (2) to assess the relative importance of general combining ability (GCA) vs. specific combining ability (SCA) among combinations between Chinese semi-winter and European winter rapeseed, and (3) to compare the strategies to predict heterosis based on parental genetic distance (GD) estimated from AFLP marker data and GCA for hybrid performance. Four winter male sterile lines from Germany as testers were crossed with 14 Chinese semi-winter rapeseed lines to develop 56 hybrids, which were evaluated together with their parents and commercial hybrids for seed yield, oil content and protein content under three environments in Germany. The Chinese parental lines were not adapted to local environmental conditions as demonstrated by lacking winter hardiness and poor seed yields per se. However, the hybrids between the Chinese parents and the adapted winter rapeseed lines exhibited high heterosis for seed yield. About 20% of the hybrids were significantly superior to the respective hybrid control under three environments. Additive gene effects mainly contributed to hybrid performance since the variance components of GCA were higher as compared with SCA. The correlation between parental GD and hybrid performance was found to be low whereas the correlation between GCA and hybrid performance was high and significant, with correlation coefficients of 0.95 for seed yield, 0.87 for oil content, and 0.91 for protein content, indicating that GCA can predict hybrid performance. These results demonstrate that Chinese semi-winter rapeseed germplasm has a great potential to increase seed yield in winter rapeseed hybrid breeding programmes in Europe.

Phenotypic variation in progenies from somatic hybrids between Brassica napus and Sinapis alba

Abstract: A number of variant phenotypes, such as long siliques, high density of pods, increased seed number per pod and yellow seed color resembling Sinapis alba, were selected from intergeneric somatic hybrids between Brassica napus and Sinapis alba through successive backcrosses. Resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum among 24 BCF4 lines was also tested by inoculation with mycelia, and four lines showed stronger resistance than the resistant rapeseed variety ‘Zhongshuang 9’. Comparative anatomy studies on mature seed revealed that the seed coat pigments were mainly distributed in the palisade layer, which is considerably thinner in S. alba compared to B. napus. The area index of protein bodies in cotyledon cells was highest in S. alba, lowest in B. napus and intermediate in the intergeneric progenies. This study demonstrates that wide hybridization can enable exploitation of valuable trait diversity from S. alba for broadening the genetic basis for rapeseed breeding.

Combining ability for seed yield and other characters in rapeseed

Abstract: Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops of China. The improvement of yield and oil content is presently being emphasized for this crop. The objective of this study was to evaluate combining ability of rapeseed lines to be used in breeding for yield, oil content and other characters. Nine inbred lines used as males were crossed to five recessive genetic male sterile (RGMS) lines used as females in a factorial manner (NCII design) to produce 45 single crosses. The crosses and their parents were tested at Guiyang and Zunyi, Guizhou, China in 2007-2008. The results showed that mean squares for hybrids were significantly different for all characters. The SS ratios of sum of squares due to GCA to sum of squares of hybrids were 0.70, 0.80, 0.88 and 0.82 for seed yield, oil content, days to flowering and days to maturity, respectively, but SCA effects were significant for all characters except for days to maturity. This indicates that both additive and non-additive gene effects were important, but additive gene effects were more predominant for these characters. Males III188, III224, and Q034 gave large positive GCA effects for seed yield. Their respective values were 317.6, 253.1, and 383.5 kg ha-1. Significantly positive GCA effects for oil content were detected for lines III224 and QH303-4A of which the respective GCA effects were 0.66 and 2.31%. The crosses of Qianyou 8A × Q034, QH303-4A × III224, Qianyou 3A × 2365, QH303-4A × 1190, and 24A × III153 gave significant postitive SCA effects of 434.6, 429.9, 427.8, 379.4, and 347.0 kg ha -1 for seed yield, respectively. Therefore, they should be considered as candidates for future hybrid breeding program.

Modifying Vegetable Oils for Food and Non-food Purposes

Abstract: Oils and fats are an important source of energy for the human diet and alsocontributesignificantlytothesensorycharacteristicsoffood.Manyoilsarealsoused for non-food applications, although industrial use currently accounts foronly a small proportion of the world vegetable oil production, less than 5% oftotal production, mostly for biodiesel. About 80% of edible oils are derivedfrom plant sources and temperate annual oil seeds (soy, rapeseed, sunflowerand peanut) account for about 60% of this total. Soybean oil is by far thedominantoilinthiscategory,accountingforoverhalfoftheworldvegetableoilproduction.Improving the functional and nutritional qualities of vegetable oils hasgarnered much attention over the last 15 years or so. This chapter will describesome of the attempts to genetically improve plant seed oils, with specialemphasis on soybean oil, for food and non-food uses.

Assessment of genetic diversity in Australian canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars using SSR markers

Abstract: Australian canola (Brassica napus L) has been relatively isolated from the global gene pool and limited knowledge is available for genetic variability based on DNA profiling In the present study, genetic diversity of recent Australian canola cultivars was determined by simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker analysis In total, 405 individuals from 48 varieties were genotyped with 18 primer pairs, resulting in 112 polymorphic features The number of polymorphic features amplified by each SSR primer pair varied from 3 to 16 Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) detected 537% and 463% within- and between-cultivar variation, respectively Intra-cultivar genetic variability differed according to cultivar The number of polymorphic features per cultivar varied from 35 (Ag-Spectrum) to 72 (Ag-Insignia), while mean sum of squares (MSS) varied from 629 (Tornado TT) to 2476 (Ag-Emblem) Genetic differentiation of cultivars generally reflected pedigree structure and origin by breeding organisation Clustering and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) indicated that the individuals were separated into 4 major groups The genetic diversity information from this study will be useful for future Australian canola breeding programs

Genetic mapping, cloning, and functional characterization of the BnaX.VTE4 gene encoding a γ-tocopherol methyltransferase from oilseed rape

Abstract: Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is one of the major oilseed crops and an important source for tocopherols known as vitamin E in human nutrition. Increasing the tocopherol content and altering the tocopherol composition is a major goal in rapeseed breeding. The genes encoding enzymes from the tocopherol pathway have been cloned from model species. However, only scant data about tocopherol genes from crop species have been available. We have cloned four sequences of a gene family from B. napus with homology to the Arabidopsis thalianaVTE4 gene. The sequences were amplified by PCR with primers derived from the A. thaliana gene. BAC-clones were isolated to analyze the genomic structure of the BnaX.VTE4-loci. In contrast to the A. thaliana gene all B. napus sequences have two additional introns. For functional analysis, the BnaA.VTE4.a1 sequence was transformed into A. thaliana. Seeds from transgenic offspring showed a 50-fold increase of the α-tocopherol fraction which is in accordance with the predicted function of the gene. A marker assay was established and the BnaA.VTE4.a1 sequence was mapped to the end of chromosome A02 of the Tapidor × Ningyou7 genetic map, where also two QTL for α-tocopherol content had been mapped. Thus, the BnaA.VTE4.a1 gene is a promising candidate for these QTL and can be used for marker assisted selection for α-tocopherol content in rapeseed.

Efficiency of soybean meal replacement by rapeseed meal and/or canola seeds in commercial layer diets

Abstract: SUMMARY A total of 432 Roso SL 2000 commercial layers (supplied by Avicola %XFXUHWL SA) were used over the age periods 40-47 and 51-58 weeks to test the effects of using rapeseeds meal (experiment 1) or canola seeds (experiment 2) as soybean meal replacers. The layers were assigned to three groups for each experiment as follows: a control (C) group and 2 experimental (E) variants with 24 replicates each (one replicate consisted in a cage with 3 layers). The layers were kept in a two-tier battery, with free access to the feed and water. Throughout the experimental period light was provided by light bulbs using a 16h regimen, between 0430 and 2030 hrs. Each experiment used 3 compound feeds formulations, a corn, soybean meal-based control diet and two experimental diets in which 52.38% and 72.86% of the soybean meal was replaced by rapeseed meal, replacing 34.32% and 45.74% of the dietary crude protein, respectively in experiment 1 and 18.31% and 30.32% of the soybean meal was replaced by canola seeds, replacing 17.40% and 22.45% of the dietary crude protein, respectively in experiment 2. All diets were isocaloric, isoprotein and had similar levels of sulphur amino acids, calcium and available phosphorus, and were in agreement with the feeding requirements recommended for the intensive rearing of the commercial layers. The experimental results show that rapeseed meal can be used up to a level of 15% in the compound feed formulation for commercial layers, replacing up to 50% of the soybean meal. Canola seeds can be used up to a level of 20% in the compound feed formulation replacing 25-30% of the dietary soybean meal, without significantly affecting the laying performance and egg quality.

Enhancement of growth and nutrient uptake of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) by applying mineral nutrients and biofertilizers.

Abstract: For investigating the effect of chemical fertilizer as well as biofertilizers on seed yield and quality i.e. oil, protein and nutrients concentration of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), a split-plot fertilizers application experimental design in 4 replications was carried out during the 2005-2006 growing season, at the Gharakheil Agricultural Research Station in the Mazandaran province of Iran. Rapeseed was grown as a second crop in rotation after rice. Biofertilizers treatments were two different levels: control (no seed inoculation) and seeds inoculation with a combination of Azotobacter chroococcum and Azosprillum brasilense and Azosprillum lipoferum, as main plot and chemical fertilizers comprised N, P, K and their combinations, NPKS and NPK Zn as sub plots. The maximum value of seed yield obtained at (BF+NPK Zn) 3421.2 kg h(-1) corresponding to 244.5 pods per plant and maximum concentration of Zn in leaves as well as seeds. The highest weight of 1000 seeds (4.45 g) happened to obtain at (BF+NPK S) which coinciding with the maximum K levels in leaves. The highest number of branches was obtained at (BF+NPK Zn) with 4.43 branches per plant i.e., 46.2% increase over the control. The maximum value of rapeseed oil content 47.73% obtained at T16 (BF+NK) but maximum protein concentration of seed obtained at T12 (BF+N). Overall the results indicated that inoculation resulted in increase in seeds yield (21.17%), number of pods per plant (16.05%), number of branches (11.78%), weight of 1000 grain (2.92%), oil content of seeds (1.73%) and protein (3.91%) but decrease (-0.24%) in number of seeds per pods comparing to non-Biofertilizers treatments. Irrespective to the treatments, results showed that application of Biofertilizers coincided with 3.86, 0.82, 2.25, 0.75 and 0.91% increase in concentrations of N, P, K, S and Zn in the seeds over the non-Biofertilizers treatments.

Intertribal somatic hybrids between Brassica napus and Camelina sativa with high linolenic acid content

Abstract: Intertribal somatic hybrids of Brassica napus and Camelina sativa were developed by protoplast electrofusion. Hybrid identity of the regenerants was determined using flow cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA content and simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker analysis. Three hybrids exhibited specific bands for B. napus and C. sativa. These hybrids showed intermediate leaf, flower and seed morphology compared with the two parental species. The seeds of these three hybrids had a modified fatty acid profile, indicating higher level of linolenic and eicosanoic acids than those of B. napus. Our results suggest that somatic hybridization offers opportunities for transferring entire genomes between B. napus and C. sativa in improving rapeseed breeding.

Physiopathological effects of rapeseed oil: a review.

Abstract: Rapeseed oil has a growth retarding effect in animals. Some investigators claim that the high content of erucic acid in rapeseed oil alone causes this effect, while others consider the low ratio saturated/monounsaturated fatty acids in rapeseed oil to be a contributory factor. Normally erucic acid is not found or occurs in traces in body fat, but when the diet contains rapeseed oil erucic acid is found in depot fat, organ fat and milk fat. Erucic acid is metabolized in vivo to oleic acid. The effects of rapeseed oil on reproduction and adrenals, testes, ovaries, liver, spleen, kidneys, blood, heart and skeletal muscles have been investigated. Fatty infiltration in the heart muscle cells has been observed in the species investigated. In long-term experiments in rats erucic acid produces fibrosis of the myocardium. Erucic acid lowers the respiratory capacity of the heart mitochondria. The reduction of respiratory capacity is roughly proportional to the content of erucic acid in the diet, and diminishes on continued administration of erucic acid. The lifespan of rats is the same on corn oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, whale oil and rapeseed oil diet. Rats fed a diet with erucic acid or other docosenoic acids showed a lowered tolerance to cold stress (+4 degrees C). In Sweden erucic acid constituted 3-4% of the average intake of calories up to 1970 compared with about 0.4% at present.