Changes in glucosinolates during crop development in single- and double-low genotypes of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus): II. Profiles and tissue-water concentrations in vegetative tissues and developing pods

The concentrations of glucosinolates in the tissue water of leaves, stems, floral buds and developing pods were measured at defined stages of development in four oilseed rape cultivars known to have different seed glucosinolate concentrations (Bienvenu, Ariana, Cobra and Capricorn). Five alkenyl, two aromatic and three indolyl compounds were identified in the vegetative and reproductive organs. Substantial differences developed in the profiles of compounds present during vegetative growth. The 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl glucosinolate was primarily associated with developing and mature seeds and germinated seedlings. The 4-pentyl glucosinolate occurred mainly during the later stages of vegetative growth in spring, when leaves contained higher concentrations than stems, and during the early stages of flowering. The 2-phenylethyl and 3-indolymethyl glucosinolates were present earlier in vegetative growth when similar concentrations were present in leaves and stems. Differences between cultivars in the tissue-water concentrations of individual glucosinolates were small during vegetative growth. The leaves of Cobra and Capricorn had smaller concentrations of the 3-pentyl glucosinolate than Bienvenu and Ariana especially early in spring, and the stems of Capricorn had smaller concentration of the 3-pentyl and 2-phenylethyl glucosinolates. Greater differences between cultivars developed during pod growth and involved large increases in the concentrations of the 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl and 3-butenyl glucosinolates, especially in Bienvenu and Ariana. The implications of these changes in the types and concentrations of glucosinolates in the different organs for the incidence of pests and diseases are discussed.     

Local and systemic changes in glucosinolates in Chinese and European cultivars of oilseed rape (Brassica nap us L.) after inoculation with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (stem rot)

Four Chinese Brassica napus lines, generated through a breeding programme to identify Sclerotinia sclerotiorum tolerant and susceptible lines, and three European varieties were analysed for changes in glucosinolates (qualitative and quantitative), and general host reactions, after localised inoculation with a UK S. sclerotiorum isolate. Plants at the fifth leaf stage were either singly inoculated (third leaf) or were inoculated once (third leaf) and then challenged a second time (seventh leaf) 7 days after the first inoculation. The results showed very distinct reactions in the different lines and cultivars to the fungus, both locally and systemically. Of the European lines B. napus cv. Bienvenu showed good resistance (small lesions and less host damage) both 3 and 7 days post-inoculation. Capricorn was the most susceptible followed by Cobra; the third leaves of these cultivars were showing strong chlorotic and necrotic reactions by day 3 and lesions were well developed. By day 7 the third leaves of Capricorn were completely rotten whilst Cobra still had a little healthy tissue. Inoculation of the four Chinese lines showed that two had moderate resistance (014 and 020 — slightly less resistant than Bienvenu) and two were very susceptible (016 and 024 — similar reactions to Capricorn and Cobra), based on lesion size and host tissue damage. Glucosinolate induction in line 014 was good both locally and systemically, with clear local and systemic induction of indolylglucosinolates and 2-phenylethylglucosinolate both 3 and 7 days post-inoculation. Line 020 did not show no particular increases in glucosinolates after inoculation either locally or systemically. In line 016 there was a small local increase and a large systemic reduction in total glucosinolates. Inoculation of line 024 caused no major local changes in glucosinolates and again a big reduction in glucosinolates systemically. The dual inoculation system, with lines 014 and 016, produced comparable results, with line 014 showing good local and systemic induction of glucosinolates (after the first inoculation) and a further local and systemic induction after the second inoculation. This induction in pre-inoculated line 014 plants was associated with a reduction in lesion size of the second inoculum. Line 016 responded poorly both locally and systemically, and there were no real decrease in the lesion size of the second inoculum. It appears that in line 014 glucosinolate induction may be an important part of resistance, whereas in line 020 there are clearly other non-glucosinolate factors involved. The poor local and systemic induction of glucosinolates in lines 016 and 024, and subsequent susceptibility, implies that glucosinolate induction may be an important marker of resistance to S. sclerotiorum in oilseed rape.     

Sulphur uptake and distribution in double and single low varieties of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Sulphur (S) uptake and distribution in double low (Cobra) and single low (Bienvenu) winter oilseed rape were studied in field experiments at Cockle Park, Northumberland, at a site where the S supply was adequate. Total S uptake at maturity of between 80–100 kg ha^-1 was similar in both varieties. Applications of S at a rate of 100 kg ha^-1 increased S uptake by 10–15 kg ha^-1. while applications of nitrogen (N) at a rate of 300 kg ha^-1 increased S uptake by 29–34 kg ha^-1. Sulphur distribution in the vegetative tissues varied little between the two varieties but the distribution within the pods differed significantly between the two varieties. In Bienvenu 65.8% of pod S was located in the seeds, while in Cobra 57.4 and 68.8% in the 1988–89 and 1989–90 seasons, respectively, was retained in the pod walls. The high S content of the seeds of Bienvenu was due to their high glucosinolate content, whereas the high content of S in the pod walls of Cobra was associated with the presence of free SO₄ ^2-, which accounted for 70.6 to 89.4% of total S in the pod walls. The percentages of total plant S present in the pods were significantly increased by N applications and slightly decreased by S applications.     

Effects of inoculum concentration, leaf age and wetness period on the development of dark leaf and pod spot (Alternaria brassicae) on oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

Experiments were done under controlled environment and glasshouse conditions to study the effects of inoculum concentration, leaf age and wetness period on the development of dark leaf and pod spot (Alternaria brussicae) on oilseed rape (Brassica napus). On leaves of potted oilseed rape plants (cv. Bienvenu) inoculated with A. brassicae conidial suspensions, the severity (number of lesions cm^-2) of dark leaf spot increased as inoculum concentration increased from 80 to 660 spores ml^-1and as leaf age increased from 4 to 14 days. On pods on detached racemes of spring oilseed rape (cv. Starlight), the incidence of dark pod spot (% of pods diseased) increased as inoculum concentration increased from 80 to 10⁴spores ml^-1. Increasing inoculum concentration above 10⁴spores ml^-1did not increase the incidence but did increase the severity of dark pod spot. A minimum wetness period of 4 h was needed for infection of oilseed rape leaves (cv. Envol) by A. brussicue at 18°C and disease severity increased with increasing wetness period up to 12 h. The length of dry interruptions after 3–8 h of initial wetness affected the severity of dark leaf spot. A second wetness period increased the severity of dark leaf spot if the dry interruption was ≤ 6 h and if the first wetness period was ≤ 8 h. The incubation period of A. brassicae decreased from 3.5 to 2.5 days as inoculum concentration increased from 80 to 660 spores ml^-on leaves (cv. Bienvenu) at 17–25°C and from 3.8 to 1.0 day as inoculum concentration increased from 80 to ≥2 ≥ 10³spores ml^-1on pods (cv. Starlight) at 18°C.     

Changes in glucosinolates during crop development in single- and double-low genotypes of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus): I. Production and distribution in vegetative tissues and developing pods during development and potential role in the recycling of sulphur within the crop

The distributions of glucosinolates and sulphur were measured in the vegetative and reproductive tissues in a series of single- and double-low cultivars of oilseed rape (Bienvenu, Ariana, Cobra and Capricorn) grown on a sulphur-sufficient soil at Rothamsted in 1987/88, and in crops of the cv. Libravo grown with none or 40 kg/ha of sulphur on a sulphur-deficient soil at Woburn in 1990/91. The glucosinolate measurements demonstrated large differences in the abilities of single- and double-low cultivars to synthesise glucosinolates, and showed that the biosynthetic differences were associated more with the developing pods than the vegetative tissues. It indicated that potential contribution of intact glucosinolates from vegetative tissues to the seed was likely to be small, but did not preclude the possibility that the vegetative tissues were a source of glucosinolate precursors. The sulphur measurements showed that the glucosinolates contained only a small proportion of the crop's total sulphur and that they were unlikely to be a major source of recyclable sulphur, even under conditions of severe sulphur deficiency.     

Effects of previous cropping and fungicide timing on the development of light leaf spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae), seed yield and quality of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

Light leaf spot, caused by Pyrenopeziza brassicae, was assessed regularly on double-low cultivars of winter oilseed rape during field experiments at Rothamsted in 1990-91 and 1991-92. Previous cropping and fungicide applications differed; seed yield and seed quality were measured at harvest. In each season, both the initial incidence of light leaf spot and the rate of disease increase were greater in oilseed rape crops sown after rape than those sown after cereals. The incidence of diseases caused by Phoma lingam or Alternaria spp. was also greater in second oilseed rape crops. In 1991-92 there was 42% less rainfall between September and March than in 1990-91, and much less light leaf spot developed. However, P. lingam and Alternaria spp. were more common. Only fungicide application schedules including an autumn spray decreased the incidence of light leaf spot on leaves, stems and pods, as indicated by decreased areas under the disease progress curves (AUDPC) and slower rates of disease increase. Summer sprays decreased incidence and severity of light leaf spot on pods only. In 1990-91, all fungicide treatments which included an autumn spray increased seed and oil yields of cv. Capricorn but only the treatment which included autumn, spring and summer sprays increased yields of cv. Falcon. No treatment increased the yields of cv. Capricorn or cv. Falcon in 1991-92. Fungicide applications decreased glucosinolate concentrations in the seed from a crop of cv. Cobra severely infected by P. brassicae in 1990-91, but did not increase yield.     

Analysis of QTLs for erucic acid and oil content in seeds on A8 chromosome and the linkage drag between the alleles for the two traits in Brassica napus

The history of canola breeding began with the discovery of germplasm with low erucic acid content in seeds of spring forage cultivar in tbe 1950's.FAEI,mutations led to a dramatic decrease of the seed erucic acid content in Arabidopsis thaliana.The products of the two FAEI loci.BnA8.FAEI and BnC3.FAEI,showed additive effects to the level of erucic acid content in oilseed rape.Previous research believed that the pleiotropy of FAEI was responsible for the decrease in seed oil content along with the reduction of seed erucic acid content in the modern cultivars.TN DH population was developed from a canola cultivar Tapidor and a Chinese traditional cultivar Ningyou7.The population had been tested in 10 and 11 environments to map QTLs for the erucic acid content and oil content in seeds.As the map resolution increased,a novel QTL for seed erucic acid content was revealed,after Meta-analysis,7 cM away from the most significant seed erucic acid content QTL where BnA8.FAEI is located.Seven independent QTLs for seed oil content(qOC) were detected around the two seed erucic acid content QTLs(qEA)across 39.20 cM on linkage group A8.Two of the qOCs co-localized with the two qEAs,respectively,and were detected in a single environment.The otherfive qOCs were detected in 10 of ll environments independent of qEAs.Alleles from Tapidor in all the QTLs at the 0-39.20 cM region contributed negative effects to either erucic acid content or oil content in seeds.Parallel,genocontent source.Through rounds of crossbreeding with oil-cropped cultivars and intensive selection for multi generations,Tapidor still had the controlled by the five qEA-independent qOCs,with low seed erucic acid content.Ninety cultivars of B.napus from 8 countries were used to analyze the genetic drag with 9 molecular markers located in the QTL confidence intervals (24.04cM) on linkage group A8.It was noticed that more than 46% of the cultivars with low seed erucic acid content trait remained the genotype of low seed oil content at least in one locus.Backcross and marker-assisted selection could break the genetic drag between the low oil content and erucic acid in seeds in the process for breeding modern high seed oil content canola cultivars.     

Mapping the mosaic of ancestral genotypes in a cultivar of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) selected via pedigree breeding.

Recent oilseed rape breeding has produced low glucosinolate cultivars that yield proteinaceous meal suitable for animal feed. The low glucosinolate character was introduced into modern cultivars from Brassica napus 'Bronowski', a cultivar that is agronomically inferior in most other respects. Residual segments of 'Bronowski' genotype in modern cultivars probably cause reduced yield, poorer winter hardiness, and lower oil content. The quantity and distribution of the 'Bronowski' genotype in the modern oilseed rape cultivar Brassica napus 'Tapidor' was investigated using a segregating population derived from a cross between 'Tapidor' and its high glucosinolate progenitor. This population was analyzed with 65 informative Brassica RFLP probes and a genetic linkage map, based on the segregation at 77 polymorphic loci, was constructed. The mapping identified 15 residual segments of donor genotype in 'Tapidor', which together occupy approximately 29% of the B. napus genome. Mapping the loci that control variation for the accumulation of total seed glucosinolates in the segregating population has identified three loci that together explain >90% of the variation for this character. All of these loci are in donor segments of the 'Tapidor' genome. This result shows the extent to which conventional breeding programmes have difficulty in eliminating residual segments of donor genotype from elite material.     

Variation in the glucosinolate content of vegetative tissues of Chinese lines of Brassica napus L

The glucosinolate content of leaves, stems and roots of a range of Chinese oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) breeding lines was analysed. Total content and spectrum of individual glucosinolates varied widely, and there was no correlation between seed and vegetative tissue glucosinolate content. Lines with low seed glucosinolates (00) did not necessarily have low glucosinolate content in vegetative tissues; nor did high seed glucosinolate lines always have high vegetative tissue content. There was no correlation between the glucosinolate content of leaf, stem, and root in any given line. It appears that glucosinolate synthesis and accumulation is under tissue-specific control, and the mutation which blocks accumulation of glucosinolates in seeds does not influence other tissues. The responses of these lines to elicitors was also examined. Methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid treatments produced increases in leaf indolyl and aromatic glucosinolates respectively. However, the extent of such increases differed widely between the lines, and there were other, less consistent, effects on other classes of glucosinolate. There seems to be greater variation in glucosinolate accumulation in rape than has previously been reported, and the lines described here have considerable potential for evaluating the effects of manipulating glucosinolate profiles on pest and disease interactions.     

A Comparison of the Disease Reactions of Stems and Detached Leaves of Soil and in vitro Grown Plants and Regenerants of Oilseed Rape to Leptosphaeria maculans and Protocols for Selection for Novel Disease Resistance

Protocols for selecting plant tissues of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus subsp. oleifera) with resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans by either stem or leaf inoculation of both soil and in vitro grown plant material are described. The stem inoculation procedure gave good correlation (r = 0. 92) between the 50 day stem disease scores of eight out of nine cultivars of soil grown winter oilseed rape inoculated with isolate 41A4 of L. maculans and the N. A. B. esistance ratings or resistance data from field trials. The exception was the cultivar Liradonna. Inoculation of stems of five cultivars with isolates 41A4, 433 and 478 indicated a range of isolate virulence 478 > 41A4 > 433. This was the inverse of that observed in leaf inoculations. Application of the stem inoculation procedure to in vitro shoot cultures allowed differentiation of resistant and susceptible cultivars, including the cultivar Liradonna, after 20 days incubation at 20°C. The protocol was also applicable to plantlets regenerated from thin cell layer explants grown in vitro. Inoculations with isolate 433 allowed the differentiation of resistant, intermediately resistant and susceptible leaf material of soil grown plants, when leaf discs from young leaves were incubated on water agar supplemented with BAP (1 × 10^?5 M) at 25°C for 10 days. Intermediately resistant leaves were resistant after 10 days and susceptible after 15 days of incubation. Leaves of shoot cultures grown in vitro were more susceptible than the corresponding soil grown material. However, inoculation of old leaves with isolate 41A4 (an isolate of less virulence on leaves than 433) distinguished the cultivars after 15 days of incubation. These protocols allow the accurate assessment of resistance to L. maculans at the stem or leaf level and are of use in traditional as well as in vitro selection programmes.     

土壤水分和供硼状况对不同硼效率油菜苗期生长、水分含量和硼形态的影响

通过土培试验,研究了土壤水分和供硼状况对不同硼效率油菜苗期生长、叶片水分含量和硼形态的影响.结果表明:低水分胁迫条件下,硼高效甘蓝品种和硼低效甘蓝品种在高供硼水平下的单株鲜质量比低供硼水平分别增加了43.1%和31.7%,但品种间没有显著差异;硼高效品种在两种供硼水平下的束缚态水分含量分别比低效品种高11.4%和1.7%,半束缚态硼分配比例分别比低效品种高6.9%和23.8%.正常水分条件下,硼高效甘蓝品种和硼低效甘蓝品种在高供硼水平下的单株鲜质量比低供硼水平分别增加了11.1%和27.4%;硼高效品种在两种供硼水平下的自由态水分含量较硼低效品种多,自由态硼累积量为低效品种的2倍多,这有利于硼在高效植物体内的移动运输.     

Effects of temperature, cultivar and isolate on the incubation period of white leaf spot (Mycosphaerella capsellae) on oilseed rape {Brassica napus)

When leaves of oilseed rape (cv. Cobra) were inoculated with conidial suspensions of Mycosphaerella capsellae (white leaf spot) and incubated in controlled environments, the lag period from inoculation to the appearance of the first lesions decreased, and the total number of lesions produced increased, as temperature increased from 5^oC to 20^oC, although differences between 15^oC and 20^oC were small. With incubation period estimated as the time from inoculation until 5%, 50% or 95% of the lesions were produced, there was a linear relationship between l/(incubation period in days) and temperature over the range 5^oC to 20^oC, from which values at intermediate temperatures could be estimated. Summed mean daily temperatures from inoculation to the production of 5% of the lesions were estimated as 115–130 degree-days in the controlled environment experiments at 5^oC to 20^oC. When pods or leaves of plants in oilseed rape crops (cv. Cobra or cv. Libravo) were inoculated with conidial suspensions of M. capsellae on five occasions from January to October, with variable temperatures during the incubation period, degree-days until the first appearance of lesions were in the range 115–230. The numbers of white leaf spot lesions cm^-2 which developed on inoculated leaves differed greatly between nine oilseed rape cultivars, with most on cv. Tapidor and fewest on cv. Libravo, but the incubation period differed little between cultivars. Similarly, the number of lesions which developed differed between four M. capsellae isolates from different regions but the incubation period did not.     

Association of gene-linked SSR markers to seed glucosinolate content in oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. napus)

Breeding of oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. napus) has evoked a strong bottleneck selection towards double-low (00) seed quality with zero erucic acid and low seed glucosinolate content. The resulting reduction of genetic variability in elite 00-quality oilseed rape is particularly relevant with regard to the development of genetically diverse heterotic pools for hybrid breeding. In contrast, B. napus genotypes containing high levels of erucic acid and seed glucosinolates (++ quality) represent a comparatively genetically divergent source of germplasm. Seed glucosinolate content is a complex quantitative trait, however, meaning that the introgression of novel germplasm from this gene pool requires recurrent backcrossing to avoid linkage drag for high glucosinolate content. Molecular markers for key low-glucosinolate alleles could potentially improve the selection process. The aim of this study was to identify potentially gene-linked markers for important seed glucosinolate loci via structure-based allele-trait association studies in genetically diverse B. napus genotypes. The analyses included a set of new simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers whose orthologs in Arabidopsis thaliana are physically closely linked to promising candidate genes for glucosinolate biosynthesis. We found evidence that four genes involved in the biosynthesis of indole, aliphatic and aromatic glucosinolates might be associated with known quantitative trait loci for total seed glucosinolate content in B. napus. Markers linked to homoeologous loci of these genes in the paleopolyploid B. napus genome were found to be associated with a significant effect on the seed glucosinolate content. This example shows the potential of Arabidopsis-Brassica comparative genome analysis for synteny-based identification of gene-linked SSR markers that can potentially be used in marker-assisted selection for an important trait in oilseed rape. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Analysis of QTLs for emcic acid and oil content in seeds on A8 chro- mosome and the linkage drag between the alleles for the two traits in Brassica napus

The history of canola breeding began with the discovery of germplasm with low erucic acid content in seeds of spring forage cultivar in the 1950's. FAE1 mutations led to a dramatic decrease of the seed erucic acid content in Arabidopsis thaliana. The products of the two FAE1 loci, BnA8.FAE1 and BnC3.FAE1, showed additive effects to the level of erucic acid content in oilseed rape. Previous research believed that the pleiotropy of FAE1 was responsible for the decrease in seed oil content along with the reduction of seed erucic acid content in the modern cultivars. TN DH population was developed from a canola cultivar Tapidor and a Chinese traditional cultivar Ningyou7. The population had been tested in 10 and 11 environments to map QTLs for the erucic acid content and oil content in seeds. As the map resolution increased, a novel QTL for seed erucic acid content was revealed, after Meta-analysis, 7 cM away from the most significant seed erucic acid content QTL where BnA8.FAE1 is located. Seven independent QTLs for seed oil content (qOC) were detected around the two seed erucic acid content QTLs (qEA) across 39.20 cM on linkage group A8. Two of the qOCs co-localized with the two qEAs, respectively, and were detected in a single environment. The other five qOCs were detected in 10 of 11 environments independent of qEAs. Alleles from Tapidor in all the QTLs at the 0–39.20 cM region contributed negative effects to either erucic acid content or oil content in seeds. Parallel, genotyping showed that on 5 of the 7 QTLs regions, Tapidor alleles had the same genotypes with that in ‘Liho’, the original low seed erucic acid content source. Through rounds of crossbreeding with oil-cropped cultivars and intensive selection for multi generations, Tapidor still had the inferior alleles for low seed oil content from ‘Liho’, the forage rape. This showed a strong linkage drag of low seed oil content, which was controlled by the five qEA-independent qOCs, with low seed erucic acid content. Ninety cultivars of B. napus from 8 countries were used to analyze the genetic drag with 9 molecular markers located in the QTL confidence intervals (24.04 cM) on linkage group A8. It was noticed that more than 46% of the cultivars with low seed erucic acid content trait remained the genotype of low seed oil content at least in one locus. Backcross and marker-assisted selection could break the genetic drag between the low oil content and erucic acid in seeds in the process for breeding modern high seed oil content canola cultivars.     

Damage to oilseed rape seedlings by the field slug Deroceras reticulatum in relation to glucosinolate concentration

Seedlings of nine commercial cultivars of oilseed rape were exposed to the field slug Deroceras reticulatum immediately after sowing in compost in trays. There was a small reduction in seedling numbers in the presence of slugs which was not related to glucosinolate concentration in seeds or seedlings. However, the number and leaf-area of seedlings with damage symptoms were strongly and inversely related to the total concentration of glucosinolates in seeds and one wk-old seedlings. The presence of barley seedlings as alternative food did not significantly affect this relationship. The glucosinolate concentration of seeds was closely correlated with that of wk-old seedlings. Analysis of individual glucosinolates in four cultivars spanning the range of concentrations found, showed that the concentration of most components declined as total glucosinolate concentration decreased. However, 2-phenyl ethyl-glucosinolate (gluconasturtiin) concentration tended to increase in seeds and 3-indolyl methyl-glucosinolate (glucobrassicin) increased in seedlings as total glucosinolate concentration decreased. Damage by slugs was inversely related to the concentration of those glucosinolates which decreased and was positively correlated with the two compounds which increased as total glucosinolate concentration decreased. The results support the hypothesis that glucosinolates in brassicas protect them from polyphagous herbivores, and, in particular, that an important function of glucosinolates in rape seeds is to protect seedlings from slugs. As glucosinolate concentrations of oilseed rape cultivars continue to decline, so the risk of slug damage to seedlings may well increase.     

The effect of modifying the glucosinolate content of leaves of oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. oleifera) on its interaction with specialist and generalist pests

Twenty eight Brassica napus lines were developed which had contrasting leaf glucosinolate profiles to those found in commercial oilseed rape cultivars. The lines varied both in the total amount of aliphatic glucosinolates and in the ratio of different side chain structures. The lines were used in field experiments to assess the manner by which glucosinolates mediate the interactions between Brasssica and specialist pests (Psylliodes chrysocephala and Pieris rapae) and generalist pests (pigeons and slugs). Increases in the level of glucosinolates resulted in greater damage by adult flea beetles (P. chrysocephala) and a greater incidence of Pieris rapae larvae, but reduced the extent of grazing by pigeons and slugs. Decreasing the side chain length of aliphatic glucosinolates and reducing the extent of hydroxylation of butenyl glucosinolates increased the extent of adult flea beetle feeding. The implications of modifying the glucosinolate content of the leaves of oilseed rape and the role of these secondary metabolites in plant/herbivore interactions are discussed.     

Performance of cabbage stem flea beetle larvae (Psylliodes chrysocephala) in brassicaceous plants and the effect of glucosinolate profiles

The cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB), Psylliodes chrysocephala L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is one of the most important pests in European winter oilseed rape production. Adult beetles feed on young leaves whereas larvae mine within the petioles and stems. Larval infestation can cause significant crop damage. In this study, the host quality for CSFB of four oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars and seven other brassicaceous species with different glucosinolate (GSL) profiles was assessed under controlled conditions. Larval instar weights and mortality were measured after 14 and 21 days of feeding in the petioles of test plants. To study the impact of GSL on the performance of larvae, the GSL contents in petioles from non-infested and infested plants were analysed before, and 21 days after, the start of larval infestation. Larval performance was not significantly different between the four cultivars of oilseed rape, but differed considerably among the other brassicaceous species tested. In comparison to the weight of larvae in the standard B. napus cv. Robust, the larval weight was higher in turnip rape (Brassica rapa L. var. silvestris) and significantly reduced in white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), oil radish (Raphanus sativa L. var. oleiformis), and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. convar. capitata var. alba). The duration of larval development increased in white mustard and oilseed radish. The GSL profiles of the petioles showed little difference between non-infested and infested plants of oilseed rape whereas the content of aliphatic GSL increased in the infested turnip rape plants. In contrast, the aliphatic and benzenic GSL decreased in infested Indian rape (B. rapa subsp. dichotoma Roxb.). Larval weight was not correlated with the total GSL content of plants, neither before infestation nor 21 days after. Larval weight was positively correlated with progoitrin and 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin. White mustard, which provides inferior host quality for larval development, has the potential to introduce insect resistance into high-yielding oilseed rape cultivars in breeding programmes.     

Analysis of leaf appearance,leaf death and phoma leaf spot,caused by Leptosphaeria maculans,on oilseed rape (Brassica napus) cultivars

Development of phoma leaf spot (caused by Leptosphaeria maculans) on winter oilseed rape (canola, Brassica napus) was assessed in two experiments at Rothamsted in successive years (2003–04 and 2004–05 growing seasons). Both experiments compared oilseed rape cultivars Eurol, Darmor, Canberra and Lipton, which differ in their resistance to L. maculans. Data were analysed to describe disease development in terms of increasing numbers of leaves affected over thermal time from sowing. The cultivars showed similar patterns of leaf spot development in the 2003–04 experiment when inoculum concentration was relatively low (up to 133 ascospores m⁻³ air), Darmor developing 5.3 diseased leaves per plant by 5 May 2004, Canberra 6.6, Eurol 6.8 and Lipton 7.5. Inoculum concentration was up to sevenfold greater in 2004–05, with Eurol and Darmor developing 2.4 diseased leaves per plant by 16 February 2005, whereas Lipton and Canberra developed 2.8 and 3.0 diseased leaves, respectively. Based on three defined periods of crop development, a piece-wise linear statistical model was applied to the progress of the leaf spot disease (cumulative diseased leaves) in relation to appearance (‘birth’) and death of leaves for individual plants of each cultivar. Estimates of the thermal time from sowing until appearance of the first leaf or death of the first leaf, the rate of increase in number of diseased leaves and the area under the disease progress line (AUDPL) for the first time period were made. In 2004–05, Canberra (1025 leaves ×°C days) and Lipton (879) had greater AUDPL values than Eurol (427) and Darmor (598). For Darmor and Lipton, the severity of leaf spotting could be related to the severity of stem canker at harvest. Eurol had less leaf spotting but severe stem canker, whereas Canberra had more leaf spotting but less severe canker.     

Analysis of QTLs for erucic acid and oil content in seeds on A8 chromosome and the linkage drag between the alleles for the two traits in Brassica napus

The history of canola breeding began with the discovery of germplasm with low erucic acid content in seeds of spring forage cultivar in the 1950's.FAE1 mutations led to a dramatic decrease of the seed erucic acid content in Arabidopsis thaliana.The products of the two FAE1 loci,BnA8.FAE1 and BnC3.FAE1,showed additive effects to the level of erucic acid content in oilseed rape.Previous research believed that the pleiotropy of FAE1 was responsible for the decrease in seed oil content along with the reduction ...     

Responses of rape genotypes to boron application

Pot and field experiments were conducted to examine the effect of boron on the yield and quality of different rape genotypes and to identify cultivar variation in some physiological responses to boron. B fertiliser can significantly increase the yields of both traditional and high-quality rape. Significant differences in yield response to boron application were found between cultivars. High quality varieties were more sensitive to boron deficiency than a traditional variety. Application of boron increased plant height, net photosynthetic rate, activity of nitrate reductase (NRA) and dry-weight yield, and decreased the contents of erucic acid and glucosinolate in both traditional and high-quality rape varieties. Boron plays a positive role in keeping the stability of the good characteristics of high quality cultivars.