Brassica Genotypes Research Articles

Genome-wide association study of Verticillium longisporum resistance in Brassica genotypes.

Verticillium stripe, caused by Verticillium longisporum, presents an emerging threat to Canadian canola (Brassica napus). Initially detected in Manitoba in 2014, the presence of this pathogen has since been confirmed across western Canada. Infections by V. longisporum can result in yield losses of up to 50%, which is a cause for concern given the susceptibility of most commercial Canadian canola cultivars. The objective of this study was to screen a collection of 211 Brassica genotypes for their reactions to V. longisporum, and to use genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for resistance. The plant material consisted of 110 rutabaga (B. napus ssp. napobrassica), 35 canola, 40 Brassica rapa, and 15 Brassica oleracea accessions or cultivars, alongside 11 hosts of the European Clubroot Differential (ECD) set. These materials were screened for resistance under greenhouse conditions and were genotyped using a 19K Brassica SNP array. Three general linear models (GLM), four mixed linear models (MLM), and three GWAS methods were employed to evaluate the markers. Eleven non-commercial Brassica accessions and 9 out of 35 commercial canola cultivars displayed a low normalized area under the disease progress curve (AUDPCnorm.). The non-commercial accessions could prove valuable as potential sources of resistance against V. longisporum. Forty-five SNP markers were identified to be significantly associated with V. longisporum resistance using single-SNP based GWAS analysis. In comparison, haplotype-based GWAS analyses identified 10 to 25 haplotype blocks to be significantly associated with V. longisporum resistance. Between 20% and 56% of QTLs identified by the more conventional single-SNP based GWAS analysis were also detected by the haplotype-based GWAS analysis. The overlapping genomic regions identified by the two GWAS methods present promising hotspots for marker-assisted selection in the future development of Verticillium stripe-resistant canola.

Screening the Potential of Different Brassica Genotypes for Phytoremediation of Nickel (Ni) Spiked Soil

Screening the Potential of Different Brassica Genotypes for Phytoremediation of Nickel (Ni) Spiked Soil

Genome-wide association studies of root system architecture traits in a broad collection of Brassica genotypes.

The root systems of Brassica species are complex. Eight root system architecture (RSA) traits, including total root length, total root surface area, root average diameter, number of tips, total primary root length, total lateral root length, total tertiary root length, and basal link length, were phenotyped across 379 accessions representing six Brassica species (B. napus, B. juncea, B. carinata, B. oleracea, B. nigra, and B. rapa) using a semi-hydroponic system and image analysis software. The results suggest that, among the assessed species, B. napus and B. oleracea had the most intricate and largest root systems, while B. nigra exhibited the smallest roots. The two species B. juncea and B. carinata shared comparable root system complexity and had root systems with larger root diameters. In addition, 313 of the Brassica accessions were genotyped using a 19K Brassica single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. After filtering by TASSEL 5.0, 6,213 SNP markers, comprising 5,103 markers on the A-genome (covering 302,504 kb) and 1,110 markers on the C-genome (covering 452,764 kb), were selected for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Two general linear models were tested to identify the genomic regions and SNPs associated with the RSA traits. GWAS identified 79 significant SNP markers associated with the eight RSA traits investigated. These markers were distributed across the 18 chromosomes of B. napus, except for chromosome C06. Sixty-five markers were located on the A-genome, and 14 on the C-genome. Furthermore, the major marker-trait associations (MTAs)/quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with root traits were located on chromosomes A02, A03, and A06. Brassica accessions with distinct RSA traits were identified, which could hold functional, adaptive, evolutionary, environmental, pathological, and breeding significance.

Decoding genetic diversity and population structure of Brassica species by inter primer binding site (iPBS) retrotransposon markers

AbstractMarker-assisted breeding serves as a potent tool for screening target germplasm, assessing genetic diversity, and determining breeding potential of a crop. Therefore, inter primer binding site (iPBS)-retrotransposons marker system was employed to evaluate a collection of 33 Brassica genotypes, including 10 Brassica juncea, 5 B. oleracea, 7 Sinapis alba, 5 B. nigra, and 6 B. rapa, were utilized to evaluate their genetic diversity and variations 10 polymorphic primers that generated a total of 144 bands. Various diversity indices were calculated in the studied germplasm, including polymorphism information content (0.13–0.30), effective number of alleles (1.217–1.689), Shannon’s information index (0.244–0.531), and gene diversity (0.148–0.370). These indices collectively affirmed substantial genetic variations within the germplasm. Molecular variance analysis revealed that the majority (62%) of genetic variations were present within populations. The Brassica accessions were categorized into three populations utilizing a model-based structure algorithm. Evaluation of diversity indices based on the structure indicated that populations III and II exhibited higher diversity. Principal coordinate analysis and neighbor-joining analysis further corroborated the three distinct populations, confirming the reliability of the STRUCTURE analysis. Notably, the genetic distance assessment identified BN1 and BN3 from B. nigra species and the genotypes BO1 and BO3 from B. oleracea as genetically diverse mustard accessions. The extensive genetic diversity observed within the Brassica germplasm underscores its significance as a valuable genetic resource for comprehensive Brassica breeding programs. Moreover, these accessions hold promise as suitable candidates for heterosis breeding initiatives aimed at improving mustard production.

Pathotyping Systems and Pathotypes of Plasmodiophora brassicae-Navigating toward the Optimal Classification.

Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin, an obligate biotrophic soil-borne pathogen, poses a significant threat to cruciferous crops worldwide by causing the devastating disease known as clubroot. Pathogenic variability in P. brassicae populations has been recognized since the 1930s based on its interactions with Brassica species. Over time, numerous sets of differential hosts have been developed and used worldwide to explore the pathogenic variability within P. brassicae populations. These sets encompass a range of systems, including the Williams system, the European Clubroot Differential set (ECD), the Brassica napus set, the Japanese Clubroot Differential Set, the Canadian Clubroot Differential Set (CCS), the Korean Clubroot Differential Set, and the Chinese Sinitic Clubroot Differential set (SCD). However, all existing systems possess both advantages as well as limitations regarding the detection of pathotypes from various Brassica species and their corresponding virulence pattern on Brassica genotypes. This comprehensive review aims to compare the main differential systems utilized in classifying P. brassicae pathotypes worldwide. Their strengths, limitations, and implications are evaluated, thereby enhancing our understanding of pathogenic variability.

Forage brassicas can enhance the feed base and mitigate feed gaps across diverse environments

Context Spring-sown forage brassicas are commonly used to fill feed gaps in high-rainfall temperate livestock systems, but they have wider potential as an autumn-sown forage in drier environments within Australia’s crop–livestock zone. Aims We modelled the production potential of autumn-sown forage brassicas grown in diverse environments and tested their ability to alter the frequency and magnitude of feed gaps. Methods Long-term production potential was simulated in APSIM for four forage brassica genotypes, compared with forage wheat and dual-purpose canola across 22 diverse agro-climatic locations. For seven regions, the change in frequency and magnitude of forage deficits from adding forage brassicas to representative forage–livestock systems was predicted. Key results Across locations, median yields of forage brassicas ranged from 7 to 19 t DM/ha, and their annual metabolisable-energy yield was higher than that of forage wheat at most sites and nearly always exceeded dual-purpose canola. Forage brassicas performed better than forage wheat in later-sowing events (late April to early May) and maintained growth and quality later into spring. At five of the seven regions, adding 15% of farm forage area to forage brassicas reduced the frequency and magnitude of feed deficits by 35–50% and 20–40%, respectively. However, they were less beneficial where winter–spring feed gaps are uncommon. Conclusions We demonstrated that autumn-sown forage brassicas can be reliable and productive contributors to the feed base in drier environments and are a suitable alternative to forage cereals. Implications Forage brassicas can help reduce feed gaps and improve livestock production in a range of production systems spanning Australia’s crop–livestock zone.

Polymorphism in FAE1gene paralogs of Brassica juncea associated with erucic acid content

Breeding for low erucic acid is a major objective to improve the edible oil quality in Brassica juncea. FAE1, theintron-less, 1521-bp gene encoding fatty acid elongase, genetically control the biosynthesis of erucic acid in oilseed Brassicas. The Brassica juncea being an amphidiploid, contains two paralogs of this gene (FAE1.1 and FAE1.2). Allelic variations in the gene such as SNPs and InDels are predominantly responsible for variability in erucic acid content in the seed, among the Brassica genotypes. The coding sequence of FAE1 gene paralogs were sequenced from low (LEA) and high (HEA) erucic acid genotypes which had a few SNPs that differentiated LAE and HEA genotypes. Two SNPs in FAE1.1 at position 591 and 1265 and one in FAE1.2 at 237, which led to a change in the recognition site of Hpy99I, BglII and MnlI restriction enzymes, respectively, converted into CAPS markers to differentiate LEA and HEA genotypes. The efficacy of these CAPS markers was found 100 per cent when validated in Brassica juncea, B. rapa and B. nigra genotypes and used in back-cross breeding. However, owing to functional complexity of CAPS in routine analysis; nucleotide sequence variability in the promoter region of FAE1 gene paralogs were expedited to develop simple PCR based markers. The upstream regions of FAE were sequenced from LEA cultivar Pusa Mustard30 and HEA cultivar Pusa Bold. A28-bp deletion in the promoter of FAE1.1 and a 340- bp insertion of a transposonlike element in the FAE1.2 gene promoter was discovered in LEA genotype in comparison to HEA. Markers based on these sequence variabilities in the promoter regions of FAE1.1 and FAE1.2 were found to completely co-segregate with the seed erucic acid content. These markers would be effectively used in marker assisted selection for development of low erucic acid cultivars in B. juncea.

AGRONOMIC SEED PRODUCTION AND OIL QUALITY EVALUATION OF VARIOUS BRASSICA SPECIES GROWN UNDER SEMI-ARID CLIMATIC CONDITION

Brassica crops (rapeseed and mustard) are important oil seed crops of the world. Increase in the demand of edible oil due to the ever-increasing population has threatened the sufficient availability of edible oil. For this purpose, a two year experiment was laid out at experimental farm of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bahadur Sub-Campus Layyah-Pakistan. Twenty brassica genotypes viz., Holya-401, Faisal canola, AARI-Canola, Hop-09, RBN-04722, Panjab Sarsoon, RBN-11049, Mulki, PARC-Canola hybrid, Pakola, Canola Raya, Con-II, 19-H, Durr-e-Nifa, RBN-03046, Shiralee, Dunckled, Bulbul, Nifa Gold and Abasin-95 were evaluated and experiment was repeated over the time for two years. Analyses of variance revealed significant (p

Screening of Brassica genotypes against mustard aphid under northern Indian Shivalik hill conditions

Oilseed Brassica plays the important role in Indian agriculture in relation to oil production. The major insects in Brassicas are Lipaphis erysimi, Bagrada hilaris, Athalia lugens proxima (Klug), Chromatomyia horticola Goureau, Pieris rapae, Bagrada cruciferarum Kirkaldy are of practical importance. Out of these, the Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) [mustard aphid], a part of family Aphididae with order Hemiptera leads to great yield losses in rapeseed-mustard. To overcome this problem, the easiest solution is to grow resistant and tolerant varieties. The screening is done on the basis of aphid infestation index scale for categorization of the genotypes into resistance and tolerance. Experiments were carried out at the experimental farm of Division of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu during rabi of 2017–18 and 2018–19 to evaluate mustard germplasm against Lipaphis erysimi and selecting the resistant genotypes of Brassica for its cultivation and expansion purposes. A total of fifteen cultivars were evaluated based on population buildup of mustard aphid and infestation index. The genotypes RSPN-28, CNH-11-13, RL-1359, HNS-1101, GSC-101, CNH-11-2 and HNS-1102 were found moderately resistant during the rabi 2017–2018 and during rabi 2018–2019, due to weather conditions only two genotypes CNH-13-2 and RSPN-29 were found moderately resistant and susceptible against aphid infestation.

Response of Early, Timely & Late Genotypes of Brassica sps. Grown under Different Temperature Conditions for Oil Content & Fatty Acid Composition

The effect of four different dates of sowing on oil content and fatty acid composition was studied using eleven rapeseed and Indian mustard varieties at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Effects of species, maturity duration (early, timely and late sown) and environment (different dates of sowing) on the oil content and fatty acid composition was observed. The results indicate specific, genotypic variation as well as different response to the environment, resulting from strong G×E interactions for oil content and delay in sowing compromised the oil content in general. Higher temperature at seed filling and pod maturity stage affected the fatty acid profile. A significant correlation between temperature variables at maturity and fatty acid composition was observed. Linolenic (r= -0.335 to -0.317) and erucic acid (r = -0.578 to -0.568) was significantly and negatively correlated with temperature at maturity stage whereas a positive correlation was found with linoleic acid content (r = 0.324 to 0.338). The results indicated that the sowing of brassica genotypes during 2nd fortnight of October is beneficial as far as the oil content as well as oil quality is concerned.

Optimization of Regeneration and Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation Protocols for Bi and Multilocular Varieties of Brassica rapa

The regeneration of the high-yielding multilocular types has not been attempted, although successful regeneration and transformation in brassica have been done. Here, we report efficient regeneration and transformation protocols for two B. rapa genotypes; UAF11 and Toria. The B. rapa cv UAF11 is a multilocular, non-shattering, and high-yielding genotype, while Toria is the bilocular type. For UAF11 8 shoots and for Toria 7 shoots, explants were observed on MS supplemented with 3 mg/L BAP + 0.4 mg/L NAA + 0.01 mg/L GA3 + 5 mg/L AgNO3 + 0.75 mg/L Potassium Iodide (KI), MS salt supplemented with 1 mg/L IBA and 0.37 mg/L KI produced an equal number of roots (3) in UAF11 and Toria. For the establishment of transformation protocols, Agrobacterium-mediated floral dip transformation was attempted using different induction media, infection time, and flower stages. The induction medium III yielded a maximum of 7.2% transformants on half-opened flowers and 5.2% transformants on fully opened flowers in UAF11 and Toria, respectively, with 15 min of inoculation. This study would provide the basis for the improvement of tissue culture and transformation protocols in multilocular and bilocular Brassica genotypes.

Cadmium phytoremediation potential of Brassica genotypes grown in Cd spiked Loamy sand soils: Accumulation and tolerance.

Phytoremediation acts as an efficient methodology for management of toxic elements spiked soils. The accumulation and tolerance potential of hyper-accumulator plants for toxic elements act as an index for in-situ removal of toxic elements. Extraction of cadmium (Cd) through its accumulation in harvestable parts of plants has attracted attention as the economic and environment friendly technique. Brassica genotypes have greater potential to accumulate Cd when grown in Cd spiked soils. Therefore, for evaluation of comparative efficiency of three Brassica genotypes (B. juncea, B. campestris and B. napus) in phytoremediation of Cd spiked soils, a pot study was carried out in Cd contaminated soil with 6 levels as 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80mgkg-1 soil. Results indicated that dry biomass production of Brassica genotypes declined with the enhanced Cd contamination in soil. The reduction in grain and shoot yield varied from 2.87 to 1.85 and 11.85 to 8.00g pot-1 with increased Cd contamination from 5 to 80mgkg-1 soil. Similarly, increased levels of Cd contamination resulted in enhanced concentration and accumulation in grains as well as shoots of all Brassica genotypes. Among Brassica genotypes, B. juncea recorded the highest production of dry biomass (12.8g pot-1), Cd accumulation (736.0μg pot-1). Also, the bioaccumulation coefficient and tolerance index indicated that B. juncea is the most tolerant genotype to Cd contamination in soil. Therefore, B. juncea could act as the most potential genotypes for decontamination of Cd spiked soils by preventing its entry into food chain.

Investigation the Yield Stability of Brassica Genotypes (Brassica spp.) under Drought Stress by using Statistical Parameters and GGE Biplot Graphical Methods

Investigation the Yield Stability of Brassica Genotypes (Brassica spp.) under Drought Stress by using Statistical Parameters and GGE Biplot Graphical Methods

Effect of temperature stress on Brassica rapa genotypes during germination and reproductive growth

The effect of temperature stress on the reproductive development and yield of five Brassica rapa was studied in a controlled growth chamber. The seeds of five Brassica genotypes namely BARI Sarisha-6, Tori 7, Kallayania, BARI Sarisha-9 and BINA Sarisha-4 were grown under day/night temperatures at 22/170C until early flowering or early siliqua development stage. The high temperature stress i.e., 28 /170C or 35/170C, both at early flowering stage and early siliqua formation stage were imposed for 7d and then allowed to recover at 22/170C for normal growth. Shoot dry matter accumulation varied with temperature and genotype. The highest shoot dry matter was recorded by Kallayania followed by BARI Sarisha-9. The optimum day temperature for seed yield of the main shoot showed closer to 280C. The largest seeds were produced in the 22/170C, the size, however, remained similar with 28/170C temperature stress. During this temperature regime, the highest seed yield was observed with BARI Sarisha-6 while BARI Sarisha-9 produced the lowest seed yield. Severe temperature stress (35/170C) reduced seeds per siliqua and 1000 seed weight in all genotypes. Maximum pollen viability and germination were recorded at 200C by Kallayania followed by Tori 7 at 250C. However, the temperature above 300C reduced pollen viability and germination for all the genotypes. In another set of treatments, the high temperatures exposure (28/230C) for 5d reduced oil content and increased protein concentrations. Plant exposed to 25/200C temperature stress showed significant changes in oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. The levels of saturated fatty acids were similar across the five genotypes in the control treatment, but palmitic acid and stearic acids increased with the temperature. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2019-2021, 44-46: 19-29

A forage brassica simulation model using APSIM: Model calibration and validation across multiple environments

Forage brassicas have historically been used in high rainfall/irrigated temperate livestock systems, but there is increasing interest in diverse forage brassicas in drier mixed crop-livestock farming systems. Computer-based modelling is an important decision support tool used in agriculture to explore the adaptability of crops to different climates and agronomic management practices, but existing modelling tools for forage brassicas are limited to temperate environments. We parameterised the APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems Simulator) model for four forage brassica genotypes, including three diverse forage rape cultivars and a raphanobrassica. The model was calibrated using two experiments with repeated measures of biomass components, nutritive value, and leaf and canopy development. We then tested the model extensively using data from a diverse set of environments within Australian and New Zealand (23 sites across four agro-climatic zones). Model predictions of biomass were good for all the genotypes (NSE > 0.60, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency; RMSE ~1.5 t DM/ha, root mean square error). Predictions of metabolisable energy yield were satisfactory for all genotypes (NSE 0.43–0.73; RMSE ~17.8 GJ ME/ha) but forage dry matter digestibility (DMD) were poorly predicted due to the small variation in observed data. Our robust and widely tested model can be confidently used to predict forage productivity of common and new forage brassicas across a wide range of production environments and agronomic management practices. This model will enable future work to develop a better understanding of the potential value of these important forage crops for livestock production systems.

Multidimensional Analysis of Diversity in Genotypes of Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)

The effect of genotype, environment (year, location) and their interaction on seed yield and important breeding traits of 25 genotypes of winter oilseed rape were investigated under field conditions in Greater Poland. Multi-environmental field experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with four replications during three growing seasons in two locations. Five traits, such as the beginning of flowering, seed yield and its structure, the length of siliques, the number of seeds per silique and the weight of 1000 seeds were recorded. The tested Brassica genotypes showed significant differences in terms of yield and other investigated traits across harvesting years and growing locations. Analysis of variance indicated that the main effects of genotypes, locations and years as well as all interactions were significant for all traits of study. The correlation coefficient between the investigated traits displayed strong negative relationships between seed yield and the beginning of flowering (except E2). The use of multivariate statistical methods in this study allowed for the simultaneous characterization of 25 tested genotypes in terms of several traits. Visualization of the experimental results and finally the distribution of Brassica genotypes in space of two first canonical variates showed a variation between the cultivars, double low, resynthesized and lines with changed fatty acid content in terms of yield and its components, as well as the beginning of flowering.

Morpho-anatomical, biochemical and molecular genetic responses of canola (Brassica napus L.) to sulphur application

Brassica napus (canola), a major economic crop in Egypt, contains much oils and proteins. In the present study, the foliar applications of ammonium sulphate (A.S.) [(NH4)2SO4] (0, 1% 0.2% and 0.3%) to canola plants had distinctive impacts on the morpho-anatomical, biochemical, and molecular genetic responses. Interestingly, there is a positive impact when sulphur (S) is foliarly applied at 0.2% of A.S. as revealed in antioxidants, flavonoids, total carbohydrates, and protein contents which were significantly affected. On the other hand, higher levels of glucosinolates were recorded for 0.3% and 1% A.S. (4.838 and 1.905, respectively). The electrophoretic analysis of proteins displayed 51 bands of molecular weights ranging from 8.555 to 240.6 kDa with 88.24% polymorphism with a mean band frequency of 0.373. Cytotoxicity assay revealed that the lower cell death was detected in treated root tips of canola plants following 0.2% A.S. treatment, as compared to control. With increasing of sulphur treatment, the root cortex thickness, number of conducting elements, and pericycle thickness decreased while root pith area increased. In canola leaves of high S level, the leaf blade thickness, the thickness of abaxial and adaxial epidermis surface, mesophyll thickness, and metaxylem area increased, while the xylem conducting elements number decreased. Moreover, SCoT molecular markers have been used to evaluate the genetic variation among Brassica napus genotypes subjected to different A.S. treatments. Four of the seven SCoT primers were revealed to be polymorphic in both treated and untreated samples. A total of 39 amplicons, ranging in size from 200 to 1080 bp, were amplified, with 9 (23.07%) of them being polymorphic. Clustering dendogram based on SCot markers data divided Brassica genotypes into two main clusters based on similarity coefficients indices. B. napus treated with 0.2% A.S. was separated in a distinct cluster. Furthermore, treatments with sulphur enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes as well as the expression level of their encoding genes (CAT, catalase; POD, peroxidase; APX, ascorbate peroxidase; SOD, superoxide dismutase; GR, glutathione reductase), particularly at 1% and 0.2% A.S. treatments. Taken together, this study revealed that foliar application of sulphur treatments, particularly at 0.2%, have a great potential to improve canola crop.

Assessment of oil quality traits in some important exotic and indigenous collections of

Context In the breeding of oilseed Brassica crops for human consumption and animal feed, the main objective is the expansion of commercial varieties with low erucic acid, low glucosinolates, and high oleic acid content. Indian cultivars are high in erucic acid and glucosinolates. Aims This study examined variation among species and genotypes of Brassica for early screening potential in breeding programs for enhanced oil quality of rapeseed mustard. Methods Seeds of 165 Brassica genotypes including exotic and indigenous collections from India were analysed for oil content, fatty acid composition of seed oil, and glucosinolate content in seed meal. Species represented were B. juncea (159 genotypes), B. rapa (2), B. napus (2), B. carinata (1) and Eruca sativa (1). Correlation, principal component and cluster analyses were performed. Key results Substantial genetic variability was detected among genotypes for all studied traits. Oil content ranged from 32% to 45%. Oleic (11.93–54.13%), linoleic (13.33–35.85%), linolenic (3.42–20.77%) and erucic (0–50.70%) acids were the dominant fatty acids. Erucic acid had a significant and negative association with oleic, linoleic, linolenic and eicosenoic acids. Glucosinolate content varied from 7.32 to 282.17 μmol/g in the defatted meal. The first two principal components accounted for 48.10% of cumulative variation. Genotypes were grouped into five major clusters. Genotypes of one cluster had high oleic acid (46.73%) and low erucic acid (1.72%). Conclusions Five promising genotypes were found with low glucosinolate (<30 μmol/g defatted meal) and low erucic acid (<2%) content (i.e. ‘00’ characteristics). Implications The inherent variation for seed oil quality traits across assessed Brassica genotypes suggests their potential for application in future breeding operations.

Morphological Formation, Fatty Acid Profile, and Molecular Identification of Some Landraces of Ethiopian Brassica as a Promising Crop to Support Breeding Programs.

There has been an increased interest in oilseed crops for agro-industry research and development breeding programs to secure sustainable food and agriculture. The introgression of exotic genotypes of oilseed Brassica into cultivated relatives is inevitable in the genetic improvement of oilseed crops. This experimental attempt aimed to characterize the morphological and molecular basis for the identification and characterization of some Brassica genotypes. Fatty acid profile, yield, and morphology are under genetic control and can be used to identify genotypes. Characterization and identification were fulfilled for five accessions from Brassica spp. Plant height, height of first branch, number of branches and pods per plant, seed yield per plant, average pod length, number of seeds per pod, protein and oil contents (%), and fatty acid profile were examined. Besides, the relationship between seed yield and seed yield-contributing characteristics was estimated, as well as the phylogenetic relationship of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The genotypes varied significantly for all examined traits, taking into account the most important traits: seed yield per plant and oil content. For example, oil content in the samples ranged between 41.1 and 49.3%. Path analysis results showed a high and positive direct effect between each number of primary branches and the number of pods per plant with seed yield per plant (0.48). The morphological and molecular observations suggest that the Fay1, Fay3, Fay4, and Fay6 accessions belong to Brassica rapa, while Fay2 belongs to Brassica carinata. It can be concluded based on the present findings that the Fay3 genotype with the highest oil content and the lowest erucic acid content compared to the other genotypes can be proposed as a potential donor for future breeding programs for oil production and quality, while Fay1 can be utilized as donor to increase the seed yield per plant.

Enhancing the Quality of Two Species of Baby Leaves Sprayed with Moringa Leaf Extract as Biostimulant

Natural biostimulants obtained by plants are intensively used nowadays to improve crop yield and quality. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of leaf extract of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) (MLE) in modifying baby leaf characteristics of two genotypes of Brassica. The trial was started in October 2020 in a greenhouse; a cultivar of kale ‘Cavolo Laciniato Nero di Toscana’ (CL) and a Sicilian landrace of sprouting broccoli ‘Broccoli Nero’ (BN) were used. The plants, after 15, 30 and 40 days from sowing, were treated with MLE, while the control plants (C) with distilled water. Treatment with MLE modified morphological and nutritional value, but with different behavior in the two genotypes. In fact, in BN the treatment reduced the antioxidant activity (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)) by 54%, while in CL the treatment increased this parameter by 40%. For the phenolic concentration and the sugar content the values recorded were significantly increased by MLE compared to control plants in CL, where in BN a significant reduction was registered. The CL plants treated with MLE showed a significant reduction (−70%) in nitrate content compared to the control plants; a negative effect was, instead, observed in BN, where the plants treated with moringa showed an increase of 60%. Results of this study showed how the foliar application of MLE was effective in improving various nutraceutical parameters, in particular in kale, because it appears to be a species-specific response.