Brassicaceae Research Articles

Chromosomal Evolution and Apomixis in the Cruciferous Tribe Boechereae.

The mustard family (Brassicaceae) comprises several dozen monophyletic clades usually ranked as tribes. The tribe Boechereae plays a prominent role in plant research due to the incidence of apomixis and its close relationship to Arabidopsis. This tribe, largely confined to western North America, harbors nine genera and c. 130 species, with >90% of species belonging to the genus Boechera. Hundreds of apomictic diploid and triploid Boechera hybrids have spurred interest in this genus, but the remaining Boechereae genomes remain virtually unstudied. Here we report on comparative genome structure of six genera (Borodinia, Cusickiella, Phoenicaulis, Polyctenium, Nevada, and Sandbergia) and three Boechera species as revealed by comparative chromosome painting (CCP). All analyzed taxa shared the same seven-chromosome genome structure. Comparisons with the sister Halimolobeae tribe (n = 8) showed that the ancestral Boechereae genome (n = 7) was derived from an older n = 8 genome by descending dysploidy followed by the divergence of extant Boechereae taxa. As tribal divergence post-dated the origin of four tribe-specific chromosomes, it is proposed that these chromosomal rearrangements were a key evolutionary innovation underlaying the origin and diversification of the Boechereae in North America. Although most Boechereae genera exhibit genomic conservatism, intra-tribal cladogenesis has occasionally been accompanied by chromosomal rearrangements (particularly inversions). Recently, apomixis was reported in the Boechereae genera Borodinia and Phoenicaulis. Here, we report sexual reproduction in diploid Nevada, diploid Sandbergia, and tetraploid Cusickiella and aposporous apomixis in tetraploids of Polyctenium and Sandbergia. In sum, apomixis is now known to occur in five of the nine Boechereae genera.

Development of RNAi methods to control the harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica.

The harlequin bug (HB), Murgantia histrionica, is a major pest of cabbage family plants throughout its range in the United States. RNA interference (RNAi) is a posttranscriptional gene silencing mechanism that is showing promise as a biopesticide due to the ability to target species-specific genes necessary for growth and/or survival with synthetic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). In the present study, dsRNA stability assays revealed that nucleases present in the saliva of harlequin bugs did not rapidly degrade dsRNA. We tracked the movement and localization of radioactively labeled dsRNA in both mustard plant seedlings and harlequin bug nymphs that fed on treated host plants. Movement of 32 P-labeled-dsRNA from soil to plant and plant to insect was detected. The efficacy of RNAi in inducing mortality in harlequin bug adults and nymphs injected or fed with dsRNA targeting inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP), ATPase N2B (ATPase), serine/threonine-protein phosphatase PP1-β catalytic subunit (PP1), signal recognition particle 54 kDa protein (SRP), and G protein-coupled receptor 161-like (GPCR) genes was evaluated. Injection of dsRNA targeting candidate genes into adults caused between 40% and 75% mortality and induced significant knockdown of target gene expression. Feeding dsRNA targeting the IAP gene to nymphs by plant-mediated and droplet feeding methods induced knockdown of the target gene and caused 40-55% mortality. These findings suggest that RNAi may be a viable approach for managing this pest.

Comparison of Different Fertilization Variants on Camelina Sativa Yield, Plant Height and Oil Content

Oilseed plant Camelina sativa, the member of mustard (Brassicaceae) family, represents re-emerging low input oilseed energy crop with sustainable agronomic characteristics and environmental attractiveness. Camelina is a short-season crop adapted to the cool temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Although no original Slovak varieties are known to be preserved, Camelina recently attracts interest of Slovak agronomists and biofuel producers as it possesses many traits that make it an ideal candidate for the crop rotation schemes even on marginal lands and subsequent utilization for oil production. As a potential feedstock for the production of bio-components to fuels Camelina can contribute to achieve the increase of GHG savings. Main focus of this study was aimed to examine the effect of different fertilization conditions on Camelina sativa yield, plant height and oil content in Slovak region. Additionally, comparison study of two available varieties Zuzana (Czech variety) and Smilowska (Polish variety) was performed. Field trials evaluating 12 fertilization variants were conducted on spring 2018 and 2019 (as part of a long-term stationary experiment, founded in 1957), at the Research and Breeding Station Vígľaš-Pstruša, Slovakia. Nitrogen doses varied from 0, 40, 80, 120 to 150 kg.ha-1 and were split into one to four dosages with or without P and K fertilizers. If fertilized with P and K, these were applied once prior to the seeding. The evaluated factors were: (A) – fertilization (12 fertilization variants), (B) – Camelina varieties (Zuzana, Smilowska) and (C) – year of study (2018, 2019). The influence of all factors on the yield, the height of plant and the oil content were assessed through multi-factor ANOVA. The study showed that fertilization with nitrogen and phosphorous has positive impact on seed yield, which is in accordance to the literature. Fertilization with nitrogen has positive effect on plant height. The growing conditions of individual year/season have largely influenced the seed yield as well as the height of the plants. It has been observed that oil yield is strongly related to temperature and precipitation conditions in individual year as well as the presence of fertilizers and type of Camelina variety.

Effect of benzyl isothiocyanate encapsulated biocompatible nanoemulsion prepared via ultrasonication on microbial strains and breast cancer cell line MDA MB 231

Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC), a nutraceutical belonging to the mustard family exhibits excellent antitumor and antimicrobial properties. Despite its prodigious potential, the lacuna in the practical application is due to hydrophobicity, high volatility, receded bioavailability, and acute odor. Owing to the entrenched advantages of the nanostructured colloidal systems, a new rhamnolipid based nanoemulsion was synthesized employing the heating-stirring-sonication method using GRAS ingredients to overcome the shortcomings of BITC. The nanoemulsion has been optimized to exhibit good long-term stability in a salt solution (50–200 mM) and at different pH conditions. The physicochemical properties were assessed using DLS, TEM, UV–vis and FTIR spectroscopy. Hemolysis and biocompatibility studies validated the bio-safety of the engineered nano-wagon. The system demonstrated high entrapment efficiency along with a sustained release. MTT assay performed indicated increased cytotoxicity of BITC NEm against MDA MB 231 breast cancer cells as compared to BITC alone. Qualitative and quantitative cell uptake studies performed using confocal spectroscopy and flow cytometry, respectively, validated that BITC was completely encapsulated in the nanocarrier and the formulation acted as an efficient and compatible carrier. Furthermore, the antibacterial assay of BITC loaded nanoemulsion showed promising results against strains of E. coli and S. aureus proving it to be a safe alternative for overcoming the pressure of resistant strains.

Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Chickpea and Wild mustard as Influenced by Intercropping in Different Row Proportions

Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Chickpea and Wild mustard as Influenced by Intercropping in Different Row Proportions

Wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) parts: compositional analysis, antioxidant capacity and determination of individual phenolic fractions by LC–ESI–MS/MS

This study aimed to evaluate bioactivity related properties of wild mustard parts (WMP) including the leaves, flowers, stems, fruits, and seeds. The biomass and ion composition of WMP were analyzed by elemental analyzer and ion chromatography, respectively. Extraction conditions of phenolics were optimized with Response Surface Methodology by taking into consideration 3 factors such as the ratio of ethanol to water, temperature, and time. LC–ESI–MS/MS was used for the identification of phenolics in WMP. The principal phenolic compounds in the leaves, flowers and seeds of wild mustard were kaempferol, hydroxycinnamic acid, and catechin, respectively, whereas vanillic acid was dominant in the stems and fruits. The antioxidant capacities of WMP were 1.88–15.56, 309.61–775.63, 25.46–87.24, and 193.58–617.08 µmol TE/g for DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC, respectively. Antioxidant capacity of the flowers was in all cases superior to the other parts irrespectively of the antioxidant capacity method being used. Therefore, the flower extract was transformed into powder in order to determine the potentiality of it as an ingredient for the enrichment of food formulations. Powdered flower extract (PFE) was incorporated into ice cream at the levels of 0.3–0.9%. The sensory scores indicated that PFE had almost no effects on texture related properties of ice cream, whereas overall acceptability of PFE enriched ice creams decreased as the amount of PFE increased. PFE also showed antimicrobial activity on selected food-borne pathogens, most notably on Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Wild mustard can be evaluated as a source of natural phenolic antioxidant compounds in different industries.

Genome Evolution in Arabideae Was Marked by Frequent Centromere Repositioning.

Centromere position may change despite conserved chromosomal collinearity. Centromere repositioning and evolutionary new centromeres (ENCs) were frequently encountered during vertebrate genome evolution but only rarely observed in plants. The largest crucifer tribe, Arabideae (∼550 species; Brassicaceae, the mustard family), diversified into several well-defined subclades in the virtual absence of chromosome number variation. Bacterial artificial chromosome-based comparative chromosome painting uncovered a constancy of genome structures among 10 analyzed genomes representing seven Arabideae subclades classified as four genera: Arabis, Aubrieta, Draba, and Pseudoturritis Interestingly, the intra-tribal diversification was marked by a high frequency of ENCs on five of the eight homoeologous chromosomes in the crown-group genera, but not in the most ancestral Pseudoturritis genome. From the 32 documented ENCs, at least 26 originated independently, including 4 ENCs recurrently formed at the same position in not closely related species. While chromosomal localization of ENCs does not reflect the phylogenetic position of the Arabideae subclades, centromere seeding was usually confined to long chromosome arms, transforming acrocentric chromosomes to (sub)metacentric chromosomes. Centromere repositioning is proposed as the key mechanism differentiating overall conserved homoeologous chromosomes across the crown-group Arabideae subclades. The evolutionary significance of centromere repositioning is discussed in the context of possible adaptive effects on recombination and epigenetic regulation of gene expression.

Efficacy of Trifluralin Compared to Ethalfluralin Applied Alone and Co-Applied with Halosulfuron for Weed Management in White Bean

There are a limited number of herbicides registered for weed management in white bean production in Ontario, Canada. Five field experiments were completed in Ontario from 2016 to 2018 to compare the efficacy of trifluralin and ethalfluralin applied alone and in combination with halosulfuron, applied preplant incorporated (PPI), for weed control efficacy and white bean tolerance and seed yield. At 2 and 4 WAE, there was no white bean injury from the herbicide treatments evaluated. Trifluralin applied PPI provided up to 32%, 99%, 13%, 99%, 27%, 99% and 99% control of velvetleaf, redroot pigweed, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, wild mustard, barnyardgrass and green foxtail, respectively. Trifluralin and ethalfluralin provide similar control of velvetleaf, redroot pigweed, barnyardgrass and green foxtail control, however, ethalfluralin is slightly more efficacious on common ragweed, common lambsquarters and wild mustard. Halosulfuron (35 g∙ai∙ha−1), applied PPI, provided as much as 76%, 98%, 96%, 96%, 100%, 19% and 23% control of velvetleaf, redroot pigweed, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, wild mustard, barnyardgrass and green foxtail, respectively. Trifluralin (600 or 1155 g∙ai∙ha−1) + halosulfuron (35 g∙ai∙ha−1), applied PPI, provided up to 88%, 100%, 98%, 100%, 100%, 99% and 98% control of velvetleaf, redroot pigweed, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, wild mustard, barnyardgrass and green foxtail, respectively. Ethalfluralin (810 or 1080 ai∙ha−1) + halosulfuron (35 g∙ai∙ha−1) provided similar control. Weed interference decreased white bean seed yield 44% - 45% with trifluralin, 30% - 41% with ethalfluralin and 34% with halosulfuron. However, decreased weed interference with trifluralin and ethalfluralin applied in combination with halosulfuron resulted white bean seed yield that was similar to the weed-free control. Trifluralin or ethalfluralin co-applied with halosulfuron can be safely used in white bean production for the control of common annual grass and broadleaf weeds in Ontario.

The Impact of Different Densities of Lentil, Wild Mustard and Barley on the Growth and Productivity of Lentil

The Impact of Different Densities of Lentil, Wild Mustard and Barley on the Growth and Productivity of Lentil

Weed Management in White Beans with Soil-Applied Grass Herbicides plus Halosulfuron

There are a limited number of soil-applied herbicides available for broad-spectrum weed control in dry bean production in Ontario, Canada. Four experiments were conducted from 2017 to 2019 in southwestern Ontario to compare the efficacy of six soil-applied grass herbicides [trifluralin (600 g ai ha-1), ethalfluralin (810 g ai ha-1), pendimethalin (1080 g ai ha-1), S-metolachlor (1050 g ai ha-1), dimethenamid-p (544 g ai ha-1) and EPTC (3400 g ai ha-1)] and halosulfuron (35 g ai ha-1) applied alone and in combination, applied preplant incorporated (PPI), on white bean tolerance and yield, and weed control efficacy. There was no white bean injury from the herbicide treatments evaluated. Grass herbicides (trifluralin, ethalfluralin, pendimethalin, S-metolachlor dimethenamid-P and EPTC) controlled velvetleaf 0% - 82%, pigweeds 87% - 99%, common ragweed 0% - 93%, common lambsquarters 81% - 99%, wild mustard 0% - 71%, barnyardgrass 98% - 100% and green foxtail 98% - 99%. Halosulfuron controlled velvetleaf 98%, pigweeds 94%, common ragweed 90% - 94%, common lambsquarters 97%, wild mustard 98% - 100%, barnyardgrass 19% - 24% and green foxtail 20% - 25%. Tankmixes of halosulfuron with soil-applied grass herbicides provided ≥93% control of the weed species evaluated. Reduction in density and biomass generally followed the same trend as visible control with herbicide treatments evaluated. Weed interference reduced white bean seed yield 70%. Seed yield was 53% - 66% of the weed-free control with trifluralin, ethalfluralin, pendimethalin, S-metolachlor and dimethenamid-P, 81% of the weed-free control with EPTC, 58% of the weed-free control with halosulfuron, and 87% - 95% of the weed-free control with halosulfuron tankmixes with the grass herbicides evaluated. Based on these results, halosulfuron in combination with trifluralin, ethalfluralin, pendimethalin, S-metolachlor, dimethenamid-p and EPTC, applied PPI at rates evaluated, can be used to effectively control common annual grass and broadleaf weeds in white beans.

Influence of Adjuvants on the Efficacy of Tolpyralate plus Atrazine for the Control of Annual Grass and Broadleaf Weeds in Corn with and without Roundup WeatherMAX<sup>®</sup>

Tolpyralate is a new HPPD-inhibiting herbicide that is efficacious on annual grass and broadleaf weed species in corn. For maximum herbicide performance of tolpyralate, it is recommended that atrazine is tank mixed with tolpyralate along with the adjuvants methylated seed oil concentrate (MSO) plus urea ammonia nitrate (UAN). A common use pattern of tolpyralate plus atrazine will be in a tank mix with Roundup WeatherMAX® due to the high proportion of corn acres that are seeded to Roundup Ready® hybrids in Eastern Canada. There is no information in the peer-reviewed literature if the adjuvant system in Roundup WeatherMAX® is adequate for optimal herbicide performance of tolpyralate plus atrazine, or if MSO and UAN are still required. Six field trials were conducted over two years near Ridgetown and Exeter, ON, Canada to determine if adjuvants are still required when tolpyralate plus atrazine is tank mixed with Roundup WeatherMAX® in corn. Tolpyralate plus atrazine plus MSO and Roundup WeatherMAX® plus tolpyralate plus atrazine provided excellent control of velvetleaf, pigweed spp, common ragweed, lambsquarters, ladysthumb, wild mustard, flower-of-an-hour, barnyardgrass and green foxtail in this study. Results of this study show that in the absence of Roundup WeatherMAX®, weed control with tolpyralate plus atrazine was improved substantially with the addition of MSO; however, there was little to no increase in weed control with the addition of UAN. When tolpyralate plus atrazine was co-applied with Roundup WeatherMAX®, there was no improvement in weed control with the addition of MSO and/or UAN.

Analysis of energy potential of biofuels obtained from camelina sativa

In a world where the energy demand is increasing daily, energy efficiency and renewable energy play a major role. Our research comes to help fighting the biggest problem that our world is facing today, global warming. This study aims to evaluate the energy potential of biofuels obtained from camelina sativa in order to reduce fossil fuel dependence, greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency. Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) is a cruciferous oilseed plant belonging to the Brassicaceae (mustard) family with the common name false flax and gold of pleasure. Since camelina can grow under different conditions without being a competitor of food land, this energetic plant can be used for production of both, firstand second-generation biofuels. In our study we determined the elemental analysis of the subproducts obtained from camelina sativa, through experimental tests, and we built a mathematical model to determine the calorific power and to simulate the burning of the biofuels into a steam generator in order to analyse the energy potential. The results show us that the biofuels obtained from camelina sativa can represent an alternative to fossil fuels and should be considered in the transition to green energy.

Comparison of hierarchical clustering methods for binary data from molecular markers

Data from molecular markers used for constructing dendrograms, which are based on genetic distances between different plant species, are encoded as binary data. For dendrograms' construction, the most commonly used linkage method is the UPGMA in combination with the squared Euclidean distance. It seems that in this scientific field, this is the 'golden standard' clustering method. In this study, a review is presented on clustering methods used with binary data. Furthermore, an evaluation of the linkage methods and the corresponding appropriate distances (comparison of 163 clustering methods) is attempted using binary data resulted from molecular markers applied to five populations of the wild mustard Sinapis arvensis species. The validation of the various cluster solutions was tested using external criteria. The results showed that the 'golden standard' is not a 'panacea' for dendrogram construction, based on binary data derived from molecular markers. Thirty seven other hierarchical clustering methods could be used.

Comparison of hierarchical clustering methods for binary data from molecular markers

Data from molecular markers used for constructing dendrograms, which are based on genetic distances between different plant species, are encoded as binary data. For dendrograms' construction, the most commonly used linkage method is the UPGMA in combination with the squared Euclidean distance. It seems that in this scientific field, this is the 'golden standard' clustering method. In this study, a review is presented on clustering methods used with binary data. Furthermore, an evaluation of the linkage methods and the corresponding appropriate distances (comparison of 163 clustering methods) is attempted using binary data resulted from molecular markers applied to five populations of the wild mustard Sinapis arvensis species. The validation of the various cluster solutions was tested using external criteria. The results showed that the 'golden standard' is not a 'panacea' for dendrogram construction, based on binary data derived from molecular markers. Thirty seven other hierarchical clustering methods could be used.

Efficiency of chemical protection of spring rape and mustard from rape blossom beetle

One of the most dangerous pests of cabbage crops which can damage plants in the budding and flowering phases in all areas of their cultivation is a rape blossom beetle (Meligethes aeneus Fabricius, 1775). The pest is widespread throughout Ukraine; it causes significant damage to the crops every year and reduces the seed yields. It should be noted that the rape blossom beetle is not new to our country and as a pest of rape and other crops from the cabbage family has been mentioned since 1845, and a detailed description of its morphology, biology and ecology can be found in the works of the nineteenth century. It is established that in the Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine the first individuals of the rape blossom beetle appear on the flowering wild growing plants (first of all on dandelion and buttercup) when the average daily temperature exceeds 8 °C, it is the middle of the first decade of April and the beginning of the third decade of April. The mass emergence of the rape blossom beetles takes place when the daily average temperatures are at the range of 9–13 °C and the sum of the effective temperatures above 5 °C is at the range of 100–113 °C, it is the middle of the second decade of April and the end of the third decade of April. The females of the rape blossom beetle usually lay 2–3 eggs into one bud of spring rape or mustard. When protecting the crops from the rape blossom beetle the highest technical efficiency was noted when applying the binary mixture of the microbiological preparation Actophyte, 0.25 % of emulsion concentrate in the dose of 4.8 L/ha and systemic insecticide Biscaya, 24 % of oily dispersion (0.25 L/ha) and in 14 days after spraying it was 76.6 % on white mustard, 74.3 % on Chinese mustard and 76.2 % on spring rape. The highest growth increase in the yield capacity was observed in the same variant; for white mustard it was 0.431 t/ha, for Chinese mustard it was 0.265 t/ha and for spring rape the growth increase amounted to 0.277 t/ha. As a result of the researches it is established that the weight of 1000 healthy seeds is 2,6996 g, and the weight of the seeds damaged by the larvae of the rape blossom beetle is 0.4213 g, so it is reduced by 84.4 %. The filling of the damaged seeds is 6.8 times more, which indicates that they are smaller in diameter and frail. The undamaged seeds of spring rape contain 35.92 % of fat, and the damaged seeds contain only 17.48 %, which is 2.05 times less. The protein content in the undamaged seeds was 30.97 % and in the damaged ones it was 32.23 %, that is 1.04 times more. The germination rate of the undamaged seeds of spring rape under the laboratory conditions on the eighth day was 90.0 %, and the germination rate of the damaged ones amounted to 58.0 % and was lower by 32.0 %.

The effects of the use of vegetable oil based as engine lubrication oil on engine performance and emissions in diesel engines

ABSTRACT The boron occupies an important place on contributions and its usage is getting widespread. Although the use of boron-added mineral oils serves to reduce friction, environmental risks can not be totally removed. It is necessary to improve the properties of biological oils used for additives so that they can compete with mineral oils technically. In the study, the use of liquid boron as an additive for engine lubrication oil together with vegetable oil was investigated experimentally in two diesel engines. Experiments were first carried out using mineral lubrication oil in the engine, and then the experiments were repeated using mineral base oil with additives in the second engine with the same technical characteristics as the first engine. Basically, the study was performed in the fields of engine performance (torque, power, consumption per hour, specific fuel consumption) and exhaust emissions (CO, CO2, HC, O2, SO2, NOx). As a result, it was concluded that the engine, in which boron and mineral oil with wild mustard oil were used, provided more significant fuel saving than in the engine with additive-free mineral oil, and no significant change was seen in the engine performance, also they showed similarities in terms of exhaust emissions.

Molecular-genetic marking of Brassica L. species for resistance against various pathogens: achievements and prospects

Cruciferous plants belonging to the genus Brassica of the Cabbage family (Brassicaceae) are cultivated as vegetables, oilseeds and forage crops; they occupy one of the first places in Russia in the gross yield of vegetables. The yield of cabbage crops is adversely affected by various pathogens, including bacterial, viral and fungal infections. The diseases such as black rot of cabbage (caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris), downy mildew (caused by Hyaloperonospora parasitica), Turnip Mosaic Virus (TuMV) are not included in the list of quarantine diseases in the territory of the Russian Federation and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), but they can affect a part of the sown area and lead to significant (up to 100 %) crop losses. The development of cultivars resistant to these pathogens is an important trend in Brassica crop breeding in addition to existing methods of agrotechnical and chemical protection. The development of molecular marker techniques and marker-assisted selection (MAS) methods makes it possible to significantly increase the efficiency of breeding resistant cabbage cultivars. The review contains information on the currently known genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with resistance to black rot, downy mildew, and TuMV. Molecular mapping data for resistance genes of Brassica species are shown. The molecular markers (RFLP, AFLP, SSR, EST, SNP, InDel, SLAF and others) closely linked to the resistance loci and SCAR-, STS- and dCAPS-markers derived from them for molecular screening are listed. The use of the markers reviewed to assess the Brassica accessions and lines can help the researchers in finding sources and donors of pathogen resistance of cabbage crops.

The makings of higher-order polyploids. A commentary on: 'The story of promiscuous crucifers: origin and genome evolution of an invasive species, Cardamine occulta (Brassicaceae), and its relatives'.

This article comments on:Terezie Mandáková, Judita Zozomová-Lihová, Hiroshi Kudoh, Yunpeng Zhao, Martin A. Lysak, and Karol Marhold. 2019. The story of promiscuous crucifers: origin and genome evolution of an invasive species, Cardamine occulta (Brassicaceae), and its relatives. Annals of Botany 124(2): 209–220.

Feeding Canola, Camelina, and Carinata Meals to Ruminants.

Simple SummaryThe world population is estimated to reach 9 billion people by 2050, which is estimated to increase the demand for food, fuel, and fiber by 60%. Domesticated ruminants play a vital role in this scenario because they can consume food byproducts that are nonedible for humans, contributing to livestock sustainability. Meals extracted from oilseed plants, such as soybean, canola, carinata, and camelina, are examples of food byproducts. Soybean meal is likely the byproduct most used worldwide, due to its availability and high-quality nutritional composition. However, the dependency on monocultures such as soybean is problematic due to price fluctuation and, in some countries, import dependency. Canola, camelina, and carinata meals have been investigated in the past two decades. Therefore, we aimed to summarize the results from studies in which canola, camelina, and carinata meal were fed to ruminants in order to evaluate how comparable these are to soybean meal and other common protein supplements in terms of animal digestion and performance. Based on this review, we conclude that canola meal is at least as good as soybean meal; and that camelina and carinata meal can be a valuable alternative feedstuff for livestock animals.Soybean meal (SBM) is a byproduct from the oil-industry widely used as protein supplement to ruminants worldwide due to its nutritional composition, high protein concentration, and availability. However, the dependency on monocultures such as SBM is problematic due to price fluctuation, availability and, in some countries, import dependency. In this context, oilseeds from the mustard family such as rapeseed/canola (Brassica napus and Brassica campestris), camelina (Camelina sativa), and carinata (Brassica carinata) have arisen as possible alternative protein supplements for ruminants. Therefore, the objective of this comprehensive review was to summarize results from studies in which canola meal (CM), camelina meal (CMM), and carinata meal (CRM) were fed to ruminants. This review was based on published peer-reviewed articles that were obtained based on key words that included the oilseed plant in question and words such as “ruminal fermentation and metabolism, animal performance, growth, and digestion”. Byproducts from oil and biofuel industries such as CM, CMM, and CRM have been evaluated as alternative protein supplements to ruminants in the past two decades. Among the three plants reviewed herein, CM has been the most studied and results have shown an overall improvement in nitrogen utilization when animals were fed CM. Camelina meal has a comparable amino acids (AA) profile and crude protein (CP) concentration to CM. It has been reported that by replacing other protein supplements with CMM in ruminant diets, similar milk and protein yields, and average daily gain have been observed. Carinata meal has protein digestibility similar to SBM and its CP is highly degraded in the rumen. Overall, we can conclude that CM is at least as good as SBM as a protein supplement; and although studies evaluating the use of CMN and CRM for ruminants are scarce, it has been demonstrated that both oilseeds may be valuable feedstuff for livestock animals. Despite the presence of erucic acid and glucosinolates in rapeseed, no negative effect on animal performance was observed when feeding CM up to 20% and feeding CMN and CRM up to 10% of the total diet.

Evaluation of the Risks of Contaminating Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed with High Erucic Rapeseed and Identification of Mitigation Strategies

High erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR) oil is under increasing demand for various industrial applications. However, many growers are concerned that if they grow the crop, they will not be able to revert to other rapeseed varieties in the future due to the risk of erucic acid (EA) contamination of the harvested seed and inability to maintain acceptable erucic acid thresholds. This review considered published literature and, using the same criteria as that used to contain transgenic crops, aimed to identify the key risks of erucic acid contamination, broadly prioritise them and identify pragmatic mitigation options. Oilseed rape has a number of traits that increase the risk of low erucic acid rapeseed (LEAR) crops being contaminated with EA from HEAR varieties. The quantity of seed produced and the potential for seed dormancy coupled with partial autogamy (self-fertilisation) facilitate the establishment and persistence of volunteer and feral populations. The large quantities of pollen produced when the crop is in flower mean there is also a high potential for cross-pollination. Self-sown volunteer plants represent the highest potential contamination risk, followed by the presence of arable weeds (e.g., wild mustard) whose seeds are also high in EA. Other risks arise from the cross-pollination of compatible wild relatives and the mixing of seed prior to sowing. It is important that both HEAR and LEAR varieties are appropriately managed since risks and their potential for mitigation arise throughout the entire LEAR crop production process. The length of rotation, type of tillage, cultivar choice, buffer zones, effective weed management and basic machinery hygiene are all factors that can reduce the risk of erucic acid contamination of LEAR crops and maintain the required thresholds.