Identification of Brassica genotypes and molecular markers for increased seed oil content

Abstract

Javed, N., Tahir, M., Geng, J., Li, G. and McVetty, P. B. E. 2014. Identification of Brassica genotypes and molecular markers for increased seed oil content. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1103–1108. Carbon dioxide emissions by the transportation sector are major contributors to global climate change. Lower CO2 emissions by the transportation sector are linked to the use of renewable fuels including biodiesel. Canola has high seed oil content, adaptation to temperate climates and favorable fatty acid composition, which make it a preferred feedstock for biodiesel production. Doubled haploid (DH) line, random inbred (RI) line and consensus genetics maps for mapping populations derived from Polo × Topas were developed. The DH line-based genetic map was then used for the identification and tagging of quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling seed oil biosynthesis. This genetic map consisted of 620 loci identified using several different types of molecular markers, and covered a map distance of 2241.1 cM with marker saturation of 3.7 cM. The phenotypic data on the mapping population for seed oil content and component fatty acids were collected from four-environment replicated field trials. One hundred and thirty-one QTL for various fatty acids in canola oil and 14 QTL for oil content were identified. These QTL, combined with marker-assisted selection, may assist breeders in their attempts to develop canola lines with improved oil quality, oil content and oil production per hectare for biodiesel production.