Abstract
Pod shattering resistance index (SRI) is a key factor affecting the mechanical harvesting of rapeseed. Research on the differences in pod shattering resistance levels of various rapeseed varieties can provide a theoretical basis for varietal breeding and application in mechanical harvesting. The indicators on pod shattering resistance including pod morphology and wall components were evaluated on eight hybrids and open pollinators, respectively, during 2012–2014. The results showed the following: (1) From the current study, SRI varied greatly with variety, and conventional varieties had stronger resistance than hybrid according to the physiological indexes. and (2) Under the experimental conditions, the SRI was linearly related to pod wall weight and the water content in pod walls, and the goodness-of-fit measurements for the regression model of the SRI based on pod wall weight and water content were 0.584** and 0.377*, respectively, reaching the significant level. This illustrated that pod wall weight and the water content in pod walls determined the SRI. (3) Compared with the relative contents of biochemical components in pod walls, the contents of particular biochemical components in pod walls had closer correlations with SRI. Among the biochemical components, the hemicellulose content was the decisive factor for the SRI.
Highlights
Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is an important oil crop in China, accounting for ~30% of the world’s planting area and total output [1]
The difference in accumulative temperature and sunshine hours for the whole growing duration primarily occurred during the overwintering stage, and for the difference in rainfall, during the overwintering and pod stages
The stepwise regression analysis between physiological indicators and the shattering resistance index (SRI) indicated that for tested varieties, the total amount of hemicellulose per pod wall was the most influential factor on the SRI, and was retained in the regression equation y = 0.0231x + 0.0098 (Fig 3)
Summary
Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is an important oil crop in China, accounting for ~30% of the world’s planting area and total output [1]. The self-sufficiency rate for edible vegetable oil in China is still less than 40% [2]. Mechanized production reduces labor, improves the efficiency of rapeseed production and could improve rapeseed productivity, thereby, ensuring China's edible oil security. Mechanical seeding technologies for rapeseed in China have progressed rapidly, but the proportion of the crop that is mechanically harvested is still relatively low. This is mainly because of a lack of uniform maturity and the susceptibility to pod shattering, resulting in only a short period suited for mechanical operation and a high loss ratio, PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0157341. This is mainly because of a lack of uniform maturity and the susceptibility to pod shattering, resulting in only a short period suited for mechanical operation and a high loss ratio, PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0157341 June 14, 2016
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