Evaluation of Eleven Introductions of Crambe, Crambe abyssinica Hochst¹

Abstract

Eleven crambe introductions grown in 14‐ and 38‐inch rows in southern and northcentral Indiana in 1964 were evaluated for number of branches and seed pods in different regions of the plant, plant height, weight of seed pods and seeds per volume of seed pods, and yield. A highly significant difference between the two locations was found for most characters. Different row spacings significantly affected most of the characters measured. However, variation among introductions was significant only for the number of branches attached to the lowest 4 inches of the main stem and the number of primary branches on the whole plant. Plant‐to‐plant variation within introductions in wide rows was heterogeneous for number of primary branches and seed pods in the lower regions of the plant. Desirable plant habit for combine harvest is possible with the material available by using appropriate cultural practices and selecting among and/or within introductions. For yield, however, to insure an effective improvement program in crambe, additional introductions of new diverse material or the possible development of more variable populations by hybridization seems necessary.

Divergence and estimates of genetic parameters in Crambe abyssinica: an oilseed plant for industrial uses

“…Therefore, the diversity of plant genetic resources allows breeders the opportunity to develop new cultivars with superior characteristics (Govindaraj et al, 2015). Although some authors (Papathanasiou et al, 1966;Lessman & Meier, 1972) report the lack of variability in C. abyssinica, in the present research, in line with that of Lara-Fiorezze et al (2016a), revealed wide variability for all the agronomic traits evaluated.…”

Genetic variation and gain in progenies of crambe

“…The objectives of the crambe breeding program are to increase grain yield, grain oil content, and erucic acid in the oil as well as to reduce glucosinolate content (antinutritional factors) and promote tolerance to diseases caused by Alternaria and Sclerotinia (Knights 2002). However, the breeding programs efficiency has been hampered by the lack of genetic variability (Mastebroek et al 1994, Lessman and Meier 1972, Papathanasiou et al 1966.…”

Variation for agronomic characteristics in Crambe hispanica, a wild relative of Crambe abyssinica

“…abyssinica have been released : 'Prophet', 'Indy', 'Meyer' (Lessman, 1975), 'BelAnn' and 'BelEnzian' (Campbell et al ., 1986) . However, further improvement is restricted due to a lack of variation within C. abyssinica for important agricultural characteristics, such as erucic acid content and total glucosinolate content (Papathanasiou et al ., 1966 ;Lessman & Meier, 1972 ;Mastebroek et al ., 1994). C. hispanica might be useful as a new source of variation .…”