Using novel variation in Brassica species to reduce agricultural inputs and improve agronomy of oilseed rape—a case study in pod shatter resistance

Abstract

Oilseed rape is a very undeveloped crop with regard to efficiency of production and the agronomic practice used to maximize its potential. The genetic potential to modify oilseed rape is limited by the narrow genetic base found within the breeding gene pool, resulting in limited novel variation available for exploitation. Novel variation is, however, present in wild diploid ancestors of oilseed rape and has been made available by developing synthetic Brassica napus. This is illustrated through the use of this material to develop an understanding of pod shattering which is one of the most agronomically important characteristics of the crop. Through a variety of approaches it is shown how progress has been made to understand this trait and how this understanding is being used to improve the crop such that efficiency of production will be enhanced.

Genetic analysis of morphological traits in a new, versatile, rapid-cycling Brassica rapa recombinant inbred line population

“…Resistance to pod shattering is a recessive complex trait, mainly based on data from B. napus , which is difficult to assess because it can only be scored at maturity (Morgan et al, 2003 ). There are no reports related to Brassica loci controlling pod shattering, although work has been done on genetic engineering of pod shattering resistance, using ectopic expression of the FRUITFULL gene from Arabidopsis (stergaard, Kempin, Bies, Klee and Yanofsky, \O ).…”

Plant translational genomics: from model species to crops

“…There is little genetic variation for resistance to pod shatter within the B. napus gene pool but interspecific crosses of wild relatives provided newly synthesized B. napus lines with useful variation for the trait (ref e.g. Morgan et al 2003Morgan et al , 1998. However, these plant hybrids are often related to unfavorable characteristics that must be regained by backcrossing.…”

Breeding Brassica napus for Shatter Resistance

“…A number of possible factors involved in the expression of the siliqua shatter resistance include morphological, anatomical and biochemical aspects of siliqua development and physiology. It may even encompass biotic and abiotic stress factors (Kadkol et al, 1986a;Morgan et al, 1998;Morgan et al, 2003;Summers et al, 2003). A summary of siliqua and plant characters as well as other factors reported to be involved in siliqua shatter are presented in Table 1 Morphological Kadkol et al, 1984Morphological Morgan et al, 1998Kadkol et al, 1984Anatomical Kadkol et al, 1986aAnatomical Morgan et al, 1998Anatomical Child et al, 2003Kadkol et al, 1989;Morgan et al, 1998Anatomical Child et al, 2003Biochemical Morgan et al, 1998Biochemical Chauvaux et al, 1997Child et al 1998;Morgan et al, 1998 Canopy structure…”

“…Morphological Morgan et al, 1998Physiological Chandler et al, 2005Morgan et al, 1998Morphological Morgan et al, 1998Morgan et al, 2000;Physiological Child & Huttly, 1999Summers et al, 2003Morphological Kadkol et al, 1984Child & Huttly, 1999Morphological Kadkol et al, 1984 Abiotic factors Temperature Rain and drought Time of sowing Environmental Morgan et al, 2003;Summers et al, 2003Environmental Morgan et al, 2003Summers et al, 2003Environmental Summers et al, 2003 Biotic factors Pests e.g. siliqua midge, aphids Pathogens e.g.…”