Quality Of Rapeseed Research Articles

Applying Mendelian rules in rapeseed (Brassica napus) breeding

Rapeseed is one of the most important sources of edible oil, raw material for industry, as well as feed. The yield and quality of rapeseed have significantly been improved in recent decades as a result of intensive breeding and optimized production technology. The application of Mendel's rules in introducing monogenic traits has also contributed to success in rapeseed breeding. Rule 1, which refers to the uniformity of F1 generation, is now the basis of widespread development of rapeseed hybrids. Rule 2, dealing with genetic segregation in the F2 generation, is the basis for understanding the process of breeding lines. Rule 3, regarding the independent segregation of genes and traits, while exempting linked traits, is the basis of combining different desirable properties by selection. In the last few decades, the systematic use of Mendel's rules has contributed to the improvement of many properties of rapeseed, including tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, yield and seed quality. Particular progress has been made in breeding for resistance to diseases, including the identification of molecular markers for marker-assisted selection. The next objective of rapeseed breeding is to create varieties with improved tolerance to environmental stress (e.g. frost, heat, and drought). Based on Mendel's rules, classical breeding methods and the latest developments in the field of molecular genetics and breeding, future progress is expected in the field of rapeseed breeding with an emphasis on polygenic, quantitative traits such as biomass, seed, and oil yield.

Marker-assisted selection of low erucic acid quantity in short duration Brassica rapa

Low erucic acid (LEA) rapeseed, which has accumulated mutant fatty acid elongase genes at the BnFAE1.1 and BnFAE1.2 loci of the A- and C-genome, respectively, is an important oilseed crop. Short growing turnip rape (B. rapa) is also important as a catch crop in the continuous cropping of rice in Asia but there is no LEA B. rapa cultivar for cultivation in South Asia. In order to develop LEA turnip rape cultivars, high erucic acid turnip rape cultivars were interspecifically crossed as recurrent parents to a canola quality rapeseed. In the meantime, we monitored incorporation of the mutant bnfae1.1 (e1) gene into A-genome of turnip rape, using a dCAPS primer pair, which can amplify PCR fragment only for the mutant e1 gene from A-genome. The early backcross progenies showed poor seed set, but which was improved in advanced progenies. Finally, homozygous e1e1 genotypes were established in the selfed progenies of BC2–BC3, and their LEA content was confirmed by gas-chromatography analysis. Our results and promising lines will contribute to LEA-trait selection in turnip rape and rapeseed breeding.

Optimization of low quality rapeseed oil transesterification with butanol by applying the response surface methodology

This paper discusses the determination of the optimal conditions for enzymatic transesterification of model waste oil (with 4% acid value) with butanol. It was found that biodiesel synthesis by the enzymatic transesterification of waste rapeseed oil rich in free fatty acid with butanol can be very effective if the catalysis is carried out in two steps. Both transesterification steps were catalysed by Lipozyme RM IM. The optimal conditions for the first step were determined: temperature of 39 °C, butanol and oil molar ratio of 4.5, lipase concentration of 6%, and reaction time of 9.8 h, with an expected yield of 60.1%. The removal of glycerol, enzyme renewal and subsequent addition of 7.8% lipase, with a 1.5 butanol and oil molar ratio and 8-h incubation at 39 °C predicted a 96.7% yield and resulted in a 96.6% butyl ester yield.

Interactive Role of Fungicides and Plant Growth Regulator (Trinexapac) on Seed Yield and Oil Quality of Winter Rapeseed

This study was designed to evaluate the role of growth regulator trinexapac and fungicides on growth, yield, and quality of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). The experiment was conducted simultaneously at different locations in Germany using two cultivars of rapeseed. Five different fungicides belonging to the triazole and strobilurin groups, as well as a growth regulator trinexapac, were tested in this study. A total of seven combinations of these fungicides and growth regulator trinexapac were applied at two growth stages of rapeseed. These two stages include green floral bud stage (BBCH 53) and the course of pod development stage (BBCH 65). The results showed that plant height and leaf area index were affected significantly by the application of fungicides. Treatments exhibited induced photosynthetic ability and delayed senescence, which improved the morphological characters and yield components of rape plants at both locations. Triazole, in combination with strobilurin, led to the highest seed yield over other treatments at both experimental locations. Significant effects of fungicides on unsaturated fatty acids of rapeseed oil were observed. Fungicides did not cause any apparent variation in the values of free fatty acids and peroxide of rapeseed oil. Results of our study demonstrate that judicious use of fungicides in rapeseed may help to achieve sustainable farming to obtain higher yield and better quality of rapeseed.

Effect of sulphur on biochemical parameters of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) in grey terrace soil

An experiment was conducted to study the biochemical response of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) to sulphur (S) fertilization at grey terrace soil. There were five treatments: S0 (control), S1 (20 kg S ha−1), S2 (40 kg S ha−1), S3 (60 kg S ha−1) and S4 (80 kg S ha−1). Chlorophyll content in the leaf was determined at 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after emergence (DAE). The biochemical properties were found responsive to S. The highest chlorophyll content of mustard leaves was found in 60 kg S ha−1 at 50 DAE. The same treatment also showed the maximum N content in the leaves at 45 DAE. The highest oil content was recorded in 60 kg S ha−1. Other chemical characters such as acid value, peroxide and saponification values were lowest in 60 kg S ha−1 while iodine value was found highest in the same S level. Non-essential fatty acids such as palmitic, stearic and erucic acid were increased in the rapeseed with decrease in S level, whereas essential fatty acids were maximum in 60 kg S ha−1. Therefore, 60 kg S ha−1 can be recommended to produce quality rapeseed in grey terrace soil of Bangladesh.

Reduction in sinapine content in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) by induced mutations in sinapine biosynthesis genes

Sinapine is the most prominent antinutri- tive compound in the seeds of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). A reduction in sinapine content could improve the quality of rapeseed meal as an animal feed and in food industry. We had selected loss-of-function mutations of two sinapine biosynthesis genes BnSGT and BnREF1 and crossed them to produce double mutants. We measured their expression and enzyme activities in developing seeds as well as sinapoyl ester accumulation in mature seeds in three segregating F2 populations. Significant depletion of SGT enzyme activity in developing seeds proved loss of function of both gene copies and ruled out background effects. REF1 enzyme activities showed minor reductions and pointed at different substrate specificities of the paralogs and the presence of unspecific aldehyde dehydrogenases. Sinapine contents in the double mutants dropped dramatically by up to 71 %. F3 seeds with two stop-codon mutations in BnREF1 genes had the lowest sinapine contents (2.4 mg/g) as compared to the EMS control (7.5 mg/g). A BnREF1 splice site mutation did not result in a decrease in seed sinapine content probably due to incomplete splicing. We demonstrate that only the combination of different knockdown mutations drastically alters the composi- tion of a major secondary metabolite. The results cast new light on the activities of gene paralogs in a polyploid species. The selected double mutants will be of major importance to further improve the quality of rapeseed.

Colorimetric Sensor Arrays for Screening Control of Rapeseed Quality

Colorimetric Sensor Arrays for Screening Control of Rapeseed Quality

Response of Seed Yield Contributing Characters and Seed Quality of Rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) to Nitrogen and Boron

Response of Seed Yield Contributing Characters and Seed Quality of Rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) to Nitrogen and Boron

Rapeseed use in aquaculture

The main problem of the aquaculture sector is the provision of suitable and sufficient fish feed, because the most important protein source in aquaculture, the fish meal, is a limited resource. Due to their high nutritional value the rapeseed proteins have great potential as an alternative protein source for the fish nutrition. Therefore, the aim of this work is to develop a manufacturing process of high quality rapeseed protein concentrates, which can replace the limited marine resource. For this purpose, small pilot scale processing procedures were performed to produce a rapeseed protein concentrate (RPC). The meal for protein extraction was prepared by gentle meal processing. Rapeseed protein fractions were prepared by an aqueous extraction procedure. The obtained protein solution is further purified and then dried. The investigated rapeseed protein extraction process provides RPC with high nutritional value and low levels of antinutritional factors. From the nutritional point of view the produced RPC can be compared with the fishmeal. Its amino acid profile reflects the amino acid demands of fish. The obtained RPC was utilized for experimental setups of fish meal replacement in diets for rainbow trout, turbot, common carp and wels catfish. Experimental results from the conducted feeding trials demonstrate an enormous potential of RPC as protein source in aquafeeds. The highest fishmeal replacement level (up to 100%) was observed in the feeding trials with rainbow trout. Therefore, especially in the nutrition of rainbow trout, RPC was identified as an excellent fishmeal alternative.

Biodiesel Synthesis from Rapeseed Oil in the Presence of Sodium and Potassium Hydroxides

Biodiesel is produced by methanolysis or ethanolysis of triglycerides, and there are many factors affecting the transesterification process. The most important variables of the transesterification reaction are as follows: quality of the oil, catalyst type, concentration of catalyst, molar ratio of alcohol to oil, temperature and reaction time. The literature studies show that there is not a generally accepted procedure for the characterisation of transesterification reactions results and catalyst formulation activity. Therefore, even the evaluation of the usability of the most utilised industrial catalysts (sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide) is inconsistent. The experimental investigations of the transesterification reactions of high quality rapeseed oil in the presence of the above mentioned catalysts by change of all the variables allow us to regard two different characteristics of each reaction (reaction yield and process yield) that has to be determined. The comparison of these two characteristics gives a new instrument for classification of catalyst formulations. In the case of high quality rapeseed oil, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide have shown a similar activity. Sodium hydroxide is more preferable when the concentration area of the used catalysts is low, but potassium hydroxide – at the high concentration area of catalysts.

Responses of agronomic components of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) as influenced by deficit irrigation, water salinity and planting method

Shortage and salinity of irrigation water are two major constraints that influence rapeseed production in arid and semi-arid regions of central and southern Iran. In this study, effects of deficit irrigation with different salinity levels and planting methods (in-furrow and on-ridge) as strategies for coping with water and salinity stresses on yield and yield quality of rapeseed were investigated in a two-year experiment. Irrigation treatments consisted of full irrigation (FI), 0.75 FI and 0.50 FI in first year and FI, 0.65 FI and 0.35 FI in second year and salinity levels of irrigation water were 0.6 (well water), 4.0, 7.0 and 10.0 dS m -1 in first year and 0.6, 4.0, 8.0 and 12.0 dS m -1 in second year. In 0.75 FI and 0.5 FI irrigation treatments, seed yield reduced by 15.0 and 25.9%, respectively and in 0.65 FI and 0.35 FI it decreased by 20.8 and 33.0% relative to FI, respectively. Planting in-furrow increased yield by 5.3 and 13.7%, respectively, in first and second year (with frost occurrence in dormant period in second year) relative to on-ridge planting. Deficit irrigation and salinity decreased dry matter, plant height, seed oil content, oil and protein yields and 1000-seed weight in both years. Results indicated that 11.0, 13.1 and 11.8% deficit irrigation (reduction in applied irrigation water compared to full irrigation) could be imposed without loss in seed yield, oil and protein yields of rapeseed, respectively. In-furrow planting increased water use efficiency compared with on-ridge planting by 7.0 and 13.2% for first and second year, respectively. Increase in salinity level at same conditions of deficit irrigation and planting method decreased water use efficiency. Therefore, deficit irrigation and in-furrow planting method strategies can be used to increase water use efficiency in water scarce conditions.

Evaluation of the quality of postharvest rapeseed by means of an electronic nose

Rapeseed is a valuable source of edible oil. The presence of even a small amount of mouldy or burnt rapeseed in a particular production batch deteriorates the quality of the edible oil obtained from it. Since the traditional method of using a panel of experts is time-consuming, there is a need for fast and easy methods for rapeseed quality evaluation by intelligent devices to replace human labour. For rapeseed quality evaluation, an electronic nose equipped with an array of eight quartz microbalance sensors and four metal oxide semiconductor sensors was used. Signals generated by the sensors were analysed by principal component analysis and discriminant function analysis. Identification of samples that contained small proportions of mouldy or burnt rapeseed was possible despite the differences between the particular varieties studied. Electronic nose technology has shown the possibility of detecting samples of faulty rapeseed at very low contamination levels and distinguishing them with high probability from sound rapeseed.

Identification of two major QTL for yellow seed color in two crosses of resynthesized Brassica napus line No. 2127-17

Yellow seed color, which results from a thinner seed coat, is associated with improved feed quality of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) meal and increased oil and protein content. As this trait follows various genetic models under different genetic backgrounds, a study was performed in two genetic backgrounds to gain a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying yellow seed color. The quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was undertaken using two crosses, Quantum ×No. 2127-17 (HZ-1) and No. 2127-17 × 94,570 (HZ-2). In the HZ-1 population, three putative QTL were detected in linkage groups N18, N5, and N3, respectively. For all of them, yellow seed color arose from the No. 2127-17 alleles. Of these QTL, the one in linkage group N18 (Bnsc-18a) explained more than half of the phenotypic variation. In the HZ-2 population, three QTL were found in linkage groups N9, N18, and N8, respectively. Of these QTL, that in linkage group N9 (Bnsc-9a) explained more than half of the phenotypic variation, whereas the QTL Bnsc-18a had a low seed color value and explained only 9.03–11.72% of the phenotypic variation. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) of the extremes of a BC1 population derived from the cross of No. 2127-17 × 94,570 (HZ-3) identified one major gene that was identical with the QTL Bnsc-9a detected in the HZ-2 population. The QTL Bnsc-18a was common in the HZ-1 and HZ-2 populations, and the others were population-specific. These results suggested that different black-seeded forms had different seed color genes.

Process simulation and economical evaluation of enzymatic biodiesel production plant

Process simulation and economical evaluation of an enzymatic biodiesel production plant has been carried out. Enzymatic biodiesel production from high quality rapeseed oil and methanol has been investigated for solvent free and cosolvent production processes. Several scenarios have been investigated with different production scales (8 and 200 mio. kg biodiesel/year) and enzyme price. The cosolvent production process is found to be most expensive and is not a viable choice, while the solvent free process is viable for the larger scale production of 200 mio. kg biodiesel/year with the current enzyme price. With the suggested enzyme price of the future, both the small and large scale solvent free production proved viable. The product price was estimated to be 0.73–1.49€/kg biodiesel with the current enzyme price and 0.05–0.75€/kg with the enzyme price of the future for solvent free process.

農業用温風暖房機燃料としての低品質バイオディーゼルの燃焼特性(熱工学,内燃機関,動力など)

In order to use a low quality biodiesel as a burner fuel, the combustion characteristics and exhaust emissions of an agricultural warm air furnace operated with a low quality Rapeseed Oil Methyl Ester (RME_L) are investigated by comparing with a high quality one (RME_H) and Bunker A. RME_L and RME_H have the lower NO_x, SO_2 and Smoke emissions compared with Bunker A. The thermal efficiency and exhaust emissions of RME_L are almost the same as that of RME_H. Also, the carbon deposit of RME_L on the heat exchanger outlet of the agricultural warm air furnace is lower than that of Bunker A. From the experimental results, RME_L can be used as an alternative fuel for agricultural warm air furnaces.

Extent and structure of linkage disequilibrium in canola quality winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Linkage disequilibrium was investigated in canola quality winter rapeseed to analyze (1) the prospects for whole-genome association analyses and (2) the impact of the recent breeding history of rapeseed on linkage disequilibrium. A total of 845 mapped AFLP markers with allele frequencies ≥0.1 were used for the analysis of linkage disequilibrium in a population of 85 canola quality winter rapeseed genotypes. A low overall level of linkage disequilibrium was found with a mean r 2 of only 0.027 over all 356,590 possible marker pairs. At a significance threshold of P = 2.8 × 10−7, which was derived by a Bonferroni correction from a global α-level of 0.1, only 0.78% of the marker pairs were in significant linkage disequilibrium. Among physically linked marker pairs, the level of linkage disequilibrium was about five times higher with more than 10% of marker pairs in significant linkage disequilibrium. Linkage disequilibrium decayed rapidly with distance between linked markers with high levels of linkage disequilibrium extending only for about 2 cM. Owing to the rapid decay of linkage disequilibrium with distance association analyses in canola quality rapeseed will have a significantly higher resolution than QTL analyses in segregating populations by interval mapping, but much larger number of markers will be necessary to cover the whole genome. A major impact of the recent breeding history of rapeseed on linkage disequilibrium could not be observed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00122-009-1221-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Changes in yield and seed quality traits in rapeseed genotypes by sulphur fertilization

Sulphur is considered more as a soil amendment to remedy alkaline soils rather than a fertilizer in crop production. However, as one of the macronutrients, just as N–P–K, it is able to have a direct and significant effect on yield and quality in some crops. There might be a sound potential of increasing seed yield and quality of rapeseed, the second important oil crop around the world, with the use of sulphur as a fertilizer in cultural practices. Our objective in this study is to determine the effects of sulphur fertilization on seed yield and several seed and oil quality traits in rapeseed. Five rapeseed genotypes were grown for two consecutive growing seasons in Canakkale, in a RCB design with three replications. The experimental plots were given 0, 100 or 200 kg ha−1 sulphur along with a fixed amount of 240 kg ha−1 N. Results indicated that sulphur fertilization had positive effects on seed yield and some of the seed and oil quality components. On the other hand, excessive sulphur fertilization, or naturally occurring high levels in the soil, may have adverse effects in elevating some undesired compounds, such as glucosinolates.

Effect of Boron on Dynamic Change of Seed Yield and Quality Formation in Developing Seed of Brassica napus

ABSTRACT Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is one of main oil crops in the world and also a potential bioenergy crop. Because of the sensitivity of Brassica napus to boron (B) deficiency and the wide distribution of low available-B soils in main areas of rapeseed production, more and more attention is being paid to the effect of B nutrition on yield and quality of rapeseed and its regulation mechanism. In this study, a field plot trial was conducted to examine the effects of B on dynamic changes of seed yield and quality formation in developing rapeseed. The results showed that B significantly increased seed yield compared with the low B control, which was attributed to an increase in the number of seeds per pod and pods per plant. During the seed development period, dry matter accumulation of seed followed a typical S-shaped curve at the two B treatments, but seed weight accumulated faster in plants supplied with sufficient B than those with low B. The dry weight of the podwall in high B treatment showed rapid increase at the early stage of seed development and decreased rapidly in later periods compared with low B. This suggested that applying B improved the accumulation of seed dry matter in early stages of seed development and substance transport from podwall to seed in later stages, which resulted in high seed yield. No significant effect of B on oil content, erucic acid and glucosinolate contents was found. However, B maintained a lower level of erucic acid and glucosinolate contents at whole seed development process and resulted in a lower ratio of erucic acid (22:1)/oleic acid (18:1) compared with that of low B treatment. These results suggested that application of B could heighten seed yield and improve oil quality for rapeseed in soils with low available B.

New mutants of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) with changed fatty acid composition

AbstractSeeds of the winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) line PN 3756/93 were treated with ethyl methanesulphonate to induce mutations in the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. The seed mutagenic treatment was repeated in the M2 generation. After treatments, individual seed and plant selections were made for changes in fatty acid composition during several generations of inbreeding. Self‐pollinated plants with changed fatty acid compositions were inbred to obtain genetically homozygous and stable mutant lines. Two mutants, M‐10453 and M‐10464, with increased levels of oleic acid (approximately 76%) and reduced linoleic and linolenic acid contents (8.5% and 7.5%, respectively) were selected. Gene or genes controlling desaturation of oleic acid were probably mutated in these plants. The third mutant, M‐681 had a very low linolenic acid content (approximately 2.6%) and increased linoleic acid content (approximately 26%). This would suggest the occurrence of mutations in genes controlling linoleic acid desaturation. The results of selection work during several generations showed that the environment had substantial influence on the composition of seed oil. This made the search for mutants with modify fatty acid compositions difficult. The induced mutants are not directly usable as new varieties, but can be used as parents in crosses for the development of high quality rapeseed varieties.

Copper Stress Alters Physiology and Deteriorates Seed Quality of Rapeseed

ABSTRACT To observe the effects of deficiency and excess of copper (Cu) on rapeseed (Brassica napus L. cv ‘T44’), plants were raised in refined sand at variable levels of Cu (as copper sulfate): 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 10, 100, and 200 μM, representing a range from acute deficiency to excess. In rapeseed, excess Cu (200 μM) induced chlorosis on young leaves similar to iron (Fe) deficiency symptoms and appeared earlier (day 30) than symtoms of Cu deficiency (day 40). Foliar symptoms of Cu deficiency (0.01 μM) were initiated on young leaves as interveinal chlorosis, later leading to necrosis. The margins of the affected leaves curled inward and leaves hung down due to loss of turgor. The deficiency (< 1 μM Cu) and excess (100 and 200 μM Cu) of Cu lowered the biomass, pod, and seed yield, concentration of chlorophylls (a and b), Hill reaction activity, activity of catalase and polyphenol oxidase, and increased the activity of ribonuclease and acid phosphatase in leaves. The activity of peroxidase decreased and the concentration of copper in leaves (young and old) and seeds increased with an increase in Cu from low to excess. The accumulation of Cu was greater in old than in young leaves. The seed quality of rapeseed was poor both in deficiency (< 1 μM) and excess (> 1 μM) of Cu, which was reflected in reduction in size and number of pods and seeds, oil content, concentration of protein, carbohydrate fractions (sugars and starch), protein nitrogen (N), and methionine, and increased concentration of phenols and non-protein N in seeds. The values of Cu deficiency, threshold of deficiency, threshold of toxicity, and toxicity were, respectively, 3.8, 6.6, 32, and 54 μg Cu g−1 dry matter in young leaves and 2.2, 5.8, 20, and 28 μg Cu g−1 dry weight in seeds of rapeseed.