Genetic diversity throughout the rapeseed (Brassica napus ssp. napus) primary gene pool was examined by obtaining detailed molecular genetic information at simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci for a broad range of winter and spring oilseed, fodder and leaf rape gene bank accessions. The plant material investigated was selected from a preliminary B. napus core collection developed from European gene bank material, and was intended to cover as broadly as possible the diversity present in the species, excluding swedes (B. napus ssp. napobrassica (L.) Hanelt). A set of 96 genotypes was characterised using publicly available mapped SSR markers spread over the B. napus genome. Allelic information from 30 SSR primer combinations amplifying 220 alleles at 51 polymorphic loci provided unique genetic fingerprints for all genotypes. UPGMA clustering enabled identification of four general groups with increasing genetic diversity as follows (1) spring oilseed and fodder; (2) winter oilseed; (3) winter fodder; (4) vegetable genotypes. The most extreme allelic variation was observed in a spring kale from the United Kingdom and a Japanese spring vegetable genotype, and two winter rape accessions from Korea and Japan, respectively. Unexpectedly the next most distinct genotypes were two old winter oilseed varieties from Germany and Ukraine, respectively. A number of other accessions were also found to be genetically distinct from the other material of the same type. The molecular genetic information gained enables the identification of untapped genetic variability for rapeseed breeding and is potentially interesting with respect to increasing heterosis in oilseed rape hybrids.
The crucifer oilseed plant false flax (Camelina sativa subsp. sativa) possesses numerous valuable agronomic attributes that make it attractive as an alternative spring-sown crop for tight crop rotations. The oil of false flax is particularly rich in polyunsaturated C18-fatty acids, making it a valuable renewable feedstock for the oleochemical industry. Because of the minimal interest in the crop throughout the 20th century, breeding efforts have been limited. In this study, a genetic map for C. sativa was constructed, using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, in a population of recombinant inbred lines that were developed, through single-seed descent, from a cross between 'Lindo' and 'Licalla', 2 phenotypically distinct parental varieties. Three Brassica simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were also integrated into the map, and 1 of these shows linkage to oil-content loci in both C. sativa and Brassica napus. Fifty-five other SSR primer combinations showed monomorphic amplification products, indicating partial genome homoeology with the Brassica species. Using data from field trials with different fertilization treatments (0 and 80 kg N/ha) at multiple locations over 3 years, the map was used to localize quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seed yield, oil content, 1000-seed mass, and plant height. Some yield QTLs were found only with the N0 treatment, and might represent loci contributing to the competitiveness of false flax in low-nutrient soils. The results represent a starting point for future marker-assisted breeding.
Resynthesized (RS) rapeseed generated from interspecific hybridization between suitable forms of Brassica rapa L. (syn. campestris; genome AA, 2n ¼ 20) and B. oleracea L. (CC, 2n ¼ 18) represents a potentially important resource to expand genetic diversity in the narrow gene pool of oilseed rape (B. napus L., AACC, 2n ¼ 38). In this study 165 RS rapeseed lines originating from crosses between an Indian Yellow Sarson (B. rapa ssp. trilocularis) and five different cauliflower (B. oleracea convar. botrytis) cultivars were studied using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and their genetic diversity was compared in relationship to an assortment of 40 diverse spring oilseed and fodder rape varieties. Using three AFLP primer combinations, a total of 467 polymorphic bands were scored. Cluster analysis allowed differentiation among the different RS lines, which, as expected, were genetically highly divergent from the cultivars. The genetic diversity of the material is discussed in relation to its morphological variability with a view to the implementation of RS lines in oilseed rape breeding.
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