Influence of Oleic Acid Content on Yield in Winter Oilseed Rape

Abstract

Winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) with a high oleic (>75%) and/or low linolenic acid (∼2%) content in the seed oil is of interest for nutritional and technical purposes. We analyzed whether a change in seed fatty acid composition has a direct influence on yield. Parental lines with different fatty acid composition were crossed, the segregating F2 populations were divided, and F3 bulks with contrasting fatty acid profiles were tested in two experiments. In Experiment 1, we developed four bulks in each of three crosses, which varied in oleic (58 to 82%) and linolenic (2 to 11%) acid content. F3 bulks were tested for 2 yr at three locations in Germany. In Experiment 2, two F3 bulks each were developed in 16 segregating F2 populations with high (74 to 79%) and low (59 to 64%) oleic acid content. F3 bulks were tested for 1 yr at five locations. The seed linolenic acid content did not significantly affect yield. In both experiments high oleic acid content was negatively associated with yield (with a reduction of 1.7 deciton [dt] ha−1 and 2.0 dt ha−1 of high versus low oleic acid bulks in Experiments 1 and 2). High oleic bulks exhibited a significantly increased oil content (+0.6%). Yield was negatively correlated with leaf and seed oleic acid content (r = –0.52 and r = –0.48, respectively). Seeds with high oleic acid content showed a significantly retarded germination. Breeding high oleic varieties could be complicated by the negative correlation between yield and oleic acid content.