Fertility variation among Paeonia lactiflora genotypes and fatty acid composition of seed oil

Abstract

Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is a prospective oilseed crop and is widely cultivated in temperate regions. In the present study, eleven fertility characteristics of sixteen peony genotypes were systematically investigated through two consecutive years of observation, and correlation analysis between the parameter seed yield per stem and other ten parameters was performed. Then the fatty acid composition in the seed oil was further determined with six peony cultivars selected from the investigation. The results showed that the examined sixteen genotypes exhibited a wide range of significant differences in fertility traits. A significant positive correlation was observed between seed yield and other seven parameters (P < 0.01). And the parameter follicle symmetry (r = 0.570**) was further established as an indicative parameter in the early selection of high-yield peony genotypes. Further determination revealed that the average oil content of peony seeds was 32.71 %. Total ten fatty acids (FAs) were detected in peony seed oil and the unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) accounted for 94.38–95.09 %. Oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid (LA) and linolenic acid (ALA) were three principal UFAs. The contents of these UFAs varied with genotype, but were overall more balanced than those in other seed oil. ‘Hangshao’ and ‘Fenghuang Niepan’ were eventually recommended for oilseed usage due to their considerable seed yields (30.75 g and 25.63 g per stem, respectively) and high seed oil content (33.34 % and 32.56 %, respectively). These findings would provide helpful references for the selection of oleaginous peony cultivars and accelerate the development of oil peony industry.