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

Abstract

In order to assess the potential of Crambe hispanica, either in breeding programmes of C . abyssinica or as an oilseed crop in itself, 36 accessions of C. hispanica (29 of var. hispanica and 7 of var. glabrata) were grown in a greenhouse and evaluated for morphological characteristics, earliness, plant habit, seed characteristics and fatty acid composition . Four lines of C. abyssinica were included for reference . The 29 accessions of var . hispanica showed significant variation for all observed characteristics . Besides morphological characteristics, large variation was found for earliness, number of primary branches, seed yield, 1000 seed weight and volume, and linoleic, linolenic and erucic acid content . Morphological characteristics, earliness and plant habit did not show any high correlations with seed characteristics or fatty acid composition, except for seed hull (pericarp) mottling, which was related to a high oil and erucic acid content . The seven accessions of var. glabrata showed little variation . The large genetic variation in combination with promising figures for several characteristics, found in C . hispanica, may be useful in breeding programmes of the oilseed crop C . abyssinica, for which the available genetic variation is limited : Prospects of selection for high-erucic acid genotypes are discussed . Compared to C. abyssinica, both botanical varieties of C. hispanica are characterized by a cordate shape of the basal leaves, lack of seed retention and a lower DNA content. Plants of var. glabrata differed from var. hispanica in a sparsely hispid upper leaf surface and round stems and branches covered with a waxy layer . These clear differences and lack of success in intercrossing both varieties of C. hispanica strongly suggest that their taxonomic classification should be reconsidered .

Production and genetic characterization of interspecific hybrids among Crambe abyssinica, Crambe hispanica and Crambe kralikii

“…There are about 30 species in the genus Crambe, with the taxonomic and genetic relationships between some species remaining controversial (Mulder and Mastebroek, 1996;Warwick and Gugel, 2003). Based on morphological (Jonsell, 1976) and molecular data (Warwick and Gugel, 2003), C. abyssinica and C. hispanica were reported to have conspecific status and were classified into one species, but may be distinguished by chromosome numbers.…”

“…Crambe hispanica (2n = 60) and Crambe kralikii (2n = 60) are wild relatives of C. abyssinica, and exhibit better tolerance to certain diseases, such as Alternaria, one of the most devastating diseases of C. abyssinica in China. Therefore, these 2 species might provide useful resources of genetic variation for the improvement of C. abyssinica (Mulder and Mastebroek, 1996;White, 1975;White and Solt, 1978).…”

Somatic embryogenesis in Crambe abyssinica Hochst. ex R.E. Fries using seedling explants

“…Its seeds contain up to 35% oil, with erucic acid accounting for 55-60% of the fatty acids (Mulder and Mastebroek 1996). This is a highly valuable product with industrial and pharmaceutical applications in the manufacture of coatings, detergents, slip agents, cosmetics, lubricants and nylon (Cooke and Konstant 1991;Capelle and Tittonel 1999;Bondioli et al 1998;Vargas-Lopez et al 1999).…”

“…Crambe abyssinica is the most economically important (Mulder and Mastebroek 1996;Wang et al 2000) of the c.34 species of the genus Crambe, a member of the Brassicaceae (Prina and Martinez-Laborde 2008). Its seeds contain up to 35% oil, with erucic acid accounting for 55-60% of the fatty acids (Mulder and Mastebroek 1996).…”

A preliminary study on the introduction and cultivation of Crambe abyssinica in China, an oil plant for industrial uses

“…The oil has good chemical and physical properties to be employed as a refrigerating and lubricating fluid, e.g. in steel casting and hardening (Mulder and Mastebroek, 1996). Crambe meal may be used primarily as livestock protein but also can be used for protein isolates and fertilizer.…”