Abstract
Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) meal is an important source of protein, but the presence of anti-nutritional compounds, such as fibre and glucosinolates, still limits its use as a livestock feed. Understanding the genetic basis of seed fibre biosynthesis would help to manipulate its content in seeds of oilseed rape. Here, we applied high-resolution skim genotyping by sequencing (SkimGBS) and characterised 187,835 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers across a mapping population subsequently used for a genetic mapping study (R/qtl). This approach allowed the identification of 11 stable QTL related to seed quality traits and led to the identification of potential functional genes underlying these traits. Among these, key genes with a known role in carbohydrate metabolic process, cell wall, lignin, and flavonoid biosynthesis, including cellulase GH5, TT10/LAC15, TT4, and SUC2, were found. This study furthers the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying seed fibre content and provides new markers for molecular breeding in B. napus.
Highlights
Brassica napus L. is grown worldwide for the production of vegetable oil, biodiesel, and protein-rich rapeseed meal (RSM) after oil extraction
The fibre has a negative effect on seed oil and protein content in B. napus, as the synthesis of cellulose and hemicellulose redirects photosynthetic assimilates from oil and protein into sugar biosynthesis, which may result in reduced content of these two compounds [2,3]
Seed oil content (SOC), seed protein content (SPC), seed coat colour (SCC), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), glucosinolates (GLS): 4OH-glucobrassicin (4OH-gbsGLS), glucobrassicin, glucobrassicanapin, gluconapin, napoleiferin, progroitrin, sum of alkene glucosinolates and total glucosinolate content of the M305 × Z114 mapping population were measured in three replicates over two years of study
Summary
Brassica napus L. (rapeseed, canola, oilseed rape, OSR) is grown worldwide for the production of vegetable oil, biodiesel, and protein-rich rapeseed meal (RSM) after oil extraction. A current major breeding aim in oilseed rape is to improve the quality of RSM by enhancing protein quality and quantity and reducing levels of anti-nutritional compounds, such as seed fibre and glucosinolates. Much effort has been put into the research of yellow and light-colour seeded genotypes of OSR since such genotypes have thinner seed coats, less fibre, and higher seed oil and protein content. These yellow-seeded genotypes have not been successfully introduced into the market due to other unfavourable agronomic traits. Fibre, when compared to seed colour, is a more stable trait for selection [5]; understanding the genetic mechanism regulating seed fibre content is essential in improving seed oil content and meal value of B. napus
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