An integrated approach to oilseed rape cultivar selection using phenotypic stability

Summary Various methods of evaluating phenotypic stability have been proposed; however, no single method can adequately describe cultivar performance. The objectives of this study were to integrate a number of methods of evaluating stability and to use this approach for cultivar selection. These objectives were considered in the context of the broad-based oilseed rape cultivar (Brassica napus spp. oleifera) evaluation system currently used in western Canada. Regression analysis was used to assess cultivar response to environments. Cluster analysis was used to assemble cultivars into groups with similar regression coefficients (b _i ) and mean yield. Three parametric stability parameters, years within locations mean square (MS; Y/L), Shukla's stability variance ( _i ² ), and Francis and Kannenberg's coefficient of variability (CV _i ), were compared to determine which method would be most suitable for selection of oilseed rape cultivars from within clustered groups. Yield data from three cultivars and six breeding lines that had been tested for 2 years at 26 locations in the Western Canola Cooperative Test A were used for all calculations. The cluster analysis was successful in identifying commercially acceptable breeding lines. The parameter MS _i Y/L was considered to be more appropriate than either CV _i or _i ² , because it measured only the unpredictable portion of the genotype x environment interaction and was independent of the other cultivars in the test. The use of cluster analysis to group entries with similar b _i values and mean yields, followed by selection for stability within groups, was advocated.Contribution No. 846 of the Plant Science Department, University of Manitoba     

Fatty acid composition of canola (Brassica napus L.), as affected by agronomical,genotypic and environmental parameters

Vegetable oils with a high relative amount of unsaturated fatty acids are of great significance for human health. There is not any data on the effects of tillage practices on fatty acid composition of canola (Brassica napus L.). Hence, in a 2-year split plot experiment, the effects of different tillage systems (no (NT), minimum (MT) and conventional tillage (CT)), canola genotypes (Hyola 401 (V1) and PF (V2)) and sowing dates (including Sep. 8, 23 and Oct. 7) on the fatty acid composition of canola were evaluated. Tillage practices and the combination of canola genotypes and sowing dates were randomized to the main and sub-plots, respectively. The highest oleic acid content was the result of combining NT, V1 and Sep. 23, and the lowest was related to the combination of CT, V2 and Oct. 7. While the combination of NT, V1 and D1 resulted in the highest amount of unsaturated fatty acids, this amount was the lowest for the combination of CT, V2 and Sep. 23. For the selection of an appropriate canola producing strategy, all these parameters must be taken into account. The combination of NT, V1 and Sep. 23 may be the most favorable cropping strategy for canola production under a Mediterranean climate.     

Morphological and physiological responses of canola (Brassica napus) siliquas and seeds to UVB and CO2 under controlled environment conditions

Combined effects of UVB radiation and CO₂ concentration on plant reproductive parts have received little attention. We studied morphological and physiological responses of siliquas and seeds of canola (Brassica napus L. cv. 46A65) to UVB and CO₂ under four controlled experimental conditions: UVB radiation (4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) with ambient level of CO₂ (370 μmol mol⁻¹) (control); UVB radiation (4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) with elevated level of CO₂ (740 μmol mol⁻¹); no UVB radiation (0 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) with ambient level of CO₂ (370 μmol mol⁻¹); and no UVB radiation (0 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) with elevated level of CO₂ (740 μmol mol⁻¹). UVB radiation affected the outer appearance of siliquas, such as colour, as well as their anatomical structures. At both CO₂ levels, the UVB radiation of 4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹ reduced the size of seeds, which had different surface patterns than those from no UVB radiation. At both CO₂ levels, 4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹ of UVB decreased net CO₂ assimilation (A_N) and water use efficiency (WUE), but had no effect on transpiration (E). Elevated CO₂ increased A_N and WUE, but decreased E, under both UVB conditions. At both CO₂ levels, the UVB radiation of 4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹ decreased chlorophyll fluorescence, total chlorophyll (Chl), Chl a and Chl b, but had no effect on the ratio of Chl a/b and the concentration of UV-screening pigments. Elevated CO₂ increased total Chl and the concentration of UV-screening pigments under 4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹ of UVB radiation. Neither UVB nor CO₂ affected wax content of siliqua surface. Many significant relationships were found between the above-mentioned parameters. This study revealed that UVB radiation exerts an adverse effect on canola siliquas and seeds, and some of the detrimental effects of UVB on these reproductive parts can partially be mitigated by CO₂.     

Phomapyrones from blackleg causing phytopathogenic fungi: isolation, structure determination, biosyntheses and biological activity

The isolation and structure determination of phomapyrones D-G, three 2-pyrones and a coumarin, from a group of isolates of the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans (Desm.) Ces. et de Not., asexual stage Phoma lingam (Tode ex Fr.) Desm, is reported. As well, phomenin B, infectopyrone, and polanrazines B and C were also obtained for the first time from these isolates. In addition, based on results of incorporations of 13C-labeled acetate and malonate, and deuterated methionine, a polyketide pathway is proposed for the biosyntheses of phomapyrones.     

Use of LCA indicators to assess Iranian rapeseed production systems with different residue management practices

In this study the environmental profile of Iranian rapeseed cultivation was analysed with a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, in order to identify the hot spots of the system. Also, in order to apply environmental indicators for agricultural decision making purposes, the environmental burden of different residue management practices were compared. Primary data were collected from 150 rapeseed farms from the Iranian Mazandaran province. The system considers a cradle-to-farm gate boundary, and the functional unit was regarded as being one Mg of rapeseed production. The LCA results indicate that the global warming potential amounts to 1181.6 kg CO_2eq Mg⁻¹. Also, the acidification and eutrophication potentials were found to be 23.3 kg SO_2eq Mg⁻¹ and 18 kg PO₄³_eq Mg⁻¹, respectively. The results also reveal that environmental emissions of crop production were significantly affected by residue management practices. Specifically, rapeseed residue removal from the field is the most environmentally-friendly practice. This is followed by a scenario involving residue incorporation in the soil. The practice of burning such residue entails the highest environmental emissions. In conclusion, reducing the consumption of chemical fertilisers, especially nitrogen based ones, is important for decreasing the environmental footprints in the area. Furthermore, avoiding crop residue burning and developing rapeseed-bean rotation are favourable management strategies for establishing more environmentally-friendly rapeseed production systems in the region.     

双低菜粕高水平替代饲料鱼粉对大黄鱼潜在风险的评估:生长、健康和营养价值

研究从生长、健康和营养价值方面评估了高水平的双低菜粕替代饲料鱼粉对大黄鱼潜在的危害。在鱼粉含量60%的基础饲料（FM）上按照质量分数用双低菜粕分别替代15%（CM15）、30%（CM30）、60%（CM60）和100%（CM100）的鱼粉,配制成5种实验饲料。每种饲料投喂5个网箱的大黄鱼[初重（135.38±1.02）g],即每个处理5个重复,进行12周的养殖实验。结果表明,当双低菜粕替代水平在15%和30%时,大黄鱼的生长及饲料系数并没有受到显著性的影响。然而,当替代水平高于30%时,大黄鱼的末重和特定生长率均显著降低,而饲料系数显著升高（P < 0.05）。当替代水平达到100%时,大黄鱼摄食率达到最高值而肥满度达到最低值（P < 0.05）。在组织形态方面,大黄鱼摄食双低菜粕替代的饲料后肠道绒毛的弯曲程度减少并且排列更加不规则,而肝细胞则呈现出圆形空泡状并伴随着细胞核的偏移。对大黄鱼骨骼进行X-射线扫描发现,摄食双低菜粕的大黄鱼椎体和头部出现了畸形。在营养价值方面,双低菜粕替代鱼粉并未显著影响大黄鱼背肌的脂肪含量、蛋白含量和氨基酸组成,然而脂肪酸组成受到了显著影响,即N-6系列脂肪酸含量显著升高,而DHA与EPA含量显著降低（P < 0.05）。根据欧洲食品安全局（EFSA）的相关标准,这些营养价值的变化并没有影响大黄鱼作为健康食品的功能。由此可见,高水平（60%和100%）的双低菜粕替代鱼粉对大黄鱼的负面影响主要表现为降低大黄鱼的生长性能、改变肠道和肝脏组织形态,以及影响大黄鱼的骨骼健康。然而,双低菜粕替代鱼粉养殖大黄鱼的肌肉仍然符合人类的膳食要求。因此,双低菜粕替代鱼粉并没有影响大黄鱼作为食用鱼的营养价值。     

Viability of cotton and canola pollen on the proboscis of Helicoverpa armigera: implications for spread of transgenes and pollination ecology

Abstract.  1. Pollen can be transported thousands of kilometres by insects but its viability after long-distance transport is not known. Knowing the potential for this mechanism to cause outcrossing of transgenes from genetically modified (GM) plants is important for risk assessments.
2. The viability of pollen from cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) and canola ( Brassica napus L.) was determined after placing it on the proboscis of Helicoverpa armigera moths for intervals of up to 32 h. Viability of both cotton and canola pollen declined at a much greater rate when in contact with the moth proboscis. Most was non-viable by 8 h compared with 16 h for control cotton pollen or 32 h for canola pollen.
3. There was no significant difference in the rate of decline of pollen viability between the five conventional cotton varieties, or between these and the one GM cotton variety used in these experiments.
4. The number of canola pollen grains remaining on the proboscis declined over time. Very few cotton pollen grains were retained on the proboscis.
5. The reduction in pollen viability during contact with the proboscis might indicate partial ingestion of the pollen via the proboscis.
6. The points above suggest that pollen is unlikely to remain attached or remain viable when carried over large distances by H. armigera . The implications for spread of pollen from transgenic plants and for pollination ecology in general are discussed.     

The phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria brassicicola: Phytotoxin production and phytoalexin elicitation

The metabolites and phytotoxins produced by the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria brassicicola (Schwein.) Wiltshire, as well as the phytoalexins induced in host plants, were investigated. Brassicicolin A emerged as the most selective phytotoxic metabolite produced in liquid cultures of A. brassicicola and spirobrassinin as the major phytoalexin produced in infected leaves of Brassica juncea (whole plants). In detached infected leaves of B. juncea, the main component was N′-acetyl-3-indolylmethanamine, the product of detoxification of the phytoalexin brassinin by A. brassicicola. In addition, the structure elucidation of three hitherto unknown metabolites having a fusicoccane skeleton was carried out and the antifungal activity of several plant defenses against A. brassicicola was determined.     

Parasitism capacity and searching efficiency of Diaeretiella rapae parasitizing Brevicoryne brassicae on susceptible and resistant canola cultivars

Different cultivars of aplant species can affect the foraging and efficiency of natural enemies, both directly through physical and biochemical properties or indirectly through the herbivore's diet. In this study, the parasitism capacity and functional response of Diaeretiella rapae McIntosh were determined on the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) reared on susceptible (Opera) and resistant (Okapi) canola cultivars under laboratory conditions at 25?±?1?°C, 60?±?5% RH and a16:8?h L:D photoperiod. The parasitoid exhibited Type II and Type III functional responses on the resistant and susceptible cultivars, respectively. The estimated value of searching efficiency (a) was 0.1637?±?0.1095?h^?1 on the resistant cultivar whereas its value was dependent on host density on the susceptible cultivar. The handling times (T_h) on the susceptible and resistant canola cultivars were 0.108?±?0.040 and 0.320?±?0.048?h, respectively. The net parasitism rate (C₀) of the parasitoid wasp varied from 128.09 hosts per parasitoid lifetime on the susceptible to 71.01hosts on the resistant canola cultivar. The transformation rate from host population to parasitoid offspring (Qp) was equal to 1 on both cultivars (C₀?=?R₀). The finite parasitism rate (ω) on the susceptible cultivar (0.819 hosts per parasitoid per day) was significantly higher than that on the resistant one (0.578 hosts per parasitoid per day). In conclusion, canola cultivars affected the performance of D. rapae in controlled small-scale laboratory experiments and compared with the susceptible cultivar, the resistant one had anadverseeffect on the efficiency of the parasitoid.