Mapping of QTLs controlling content of fatty acid composition in rapeseed (Brassica napus)

The improvement of fatty acid composition is one of the major goals of breeding in rapeseed (Brassica napus). The aim of this study was to provide more information on the genetic determination of fatty acid composition by investigating quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The study was based on two-year of field trials (in 2006 and 2007) with a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs), which originated from a cross between GH06 and P174. The level of erucic acid (C22:1) was significantly negatively correlated with those of palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), linolenic acid (C18:3), and eicosenoic acid (C20:1) in both years. A total of 40 QTLs for six fatty acids were detected and most of them were clustered on linkage groups N8, N9, and N13. These results suggested strongly that there were significant correlations between the levels of fatty acid components and would be useful for the future improvement of breeding programs focused on fatty acids in rapeseed.