Quantitative trait locus analysis of seed germination,seedling vigour and seedling‐regulated hormones in Brassica napus

Good germination and seedling vigour are major breeding targets in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus), because seedling vigour and prewinter crop establishment are closely associated with postwinter growth and yield. Here, we identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to germination, seedling vigour and seedling‐regulated hormones in a doubled haploid (DH) mapping population from a cross between winter oilseed rape parents with high vigour (Express 617) and low vigour (1012‐98). By phenotyping in a climate‐controlled glasshouse, we identified a total of 13 QTL on nine chromosomes for germination and seedling‐related traits at 7 and 14 days after sowing (DAS), explaining up to 11.2% of the phenotypic variation for seedling vigour. Forty‐seven metabolic QTL on 15 chromosomes were identified for auxin, abscisic acid (ABA) and dihydrophaseic acid (DPA) at 5 and 12 DAS, explaining up to 49.4% of phenotypic variation in seedling hormone composition. Multitrait QTL hot spots contribute to our understanding of the genetics and metabolomics of germination and seeding vigour in B. napus, and represent potential targets to breed high‐vigour cultivars.     

Assessing innovative sowing patterns for integrated weed management with a 3D crop:weed competition model

Weed dynamics models are needed to design innovative weed management strategies. Here, we developed a 3D individual-based model called FlorSys predicting growth and development of annual weeds and crops as a function of daily weather and cropping practices: (1) crop emergence is driven by temperature, and emerged plants are placed onto the 3D field map, depending on sowing pattern, density, and emergence rate; plants are described as cylinders with their leaf area distributed according to height; (2) weed emergence is predicted by an existing submodel, emerged weed seedlings are placed randomly; (3) plant phenology depends on temperature; (4) a previously developed submodel predicts available light in each voxel of the canopy; after emergence, plant growth is driven by temperature; when shaded, biomass accumulation results from the difference between photosynthesis and respiration; shading causes etiolation; (5) frost reduces biomass and destroys plants, (6) at plant maturity, the newly produced seeds are added to the soil seed bank. The model was used to test different sowing scenarios in an oilseed rape/winter wheat/winter barley rotation with sixteen weed annuals, showing that (1) crop yield loss was negatively correlated to weed biomass averaged over the cropping season; (2) weed biomass was decreased by scenarios allowing early and homogenous crop canopy closure (e.g. reduced interrows, increased sowing density, associated or undersown crops), increased summer fatal weed seed germination (e.g. delayed sowing) or, to a lesser degree, cleaner fields at cash crop sowing (e.g. sowing a temporary cover crop for “catching” nitrogen); (3) the scenario effect depended on weed species (e.g. climbing species were little affected by increased crop competition), and the result thus varied with the initial weed community (e.g. communities dominated by small weed species were hindered by the faster emergence of broadcast-sown crops whereas taller species profited by the more frequent gap canopies); (4) the effect on weed biomass of sowing scenarios applied to one year was still visible up to ten years later, and the beneficial effect during the test year could be followed by detrimental effects later (e.g. the changed tillage dates accompanying catch crops reduced weed emergence in the immediately following cash crop but increased seed survival and thus infestation of the subsequent crops). This simulation showed FlorSys to predict realistic potential crop yields, and the simulated impact of crop scenarios was consistent with literature reports.     

Quantification of the impacts of climate warming and crop management on canola phenology in Punjab,Pakistan

Yield is influenced by the length of the growing season, which is affected by weather conditions and management practices of a crop, including sowing dates and shifting of cultivars. It is necessary to understand the effects of agronomic management practices and weather variables on phenological stages and crop phases in order to develop strategies for adaptation of agricultural systems to changes in climatic conditions. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of warming trends on phenology of canola from 1980 to 2014 for central and southern Punjab, Pakistan. Sowing, emergence, anthesis and physiological maturity dates were delayed by an average of 6.02, 3.14, 3.31 and 1.89 days per decade, respectively. The duration of sowing to anthesis, sowing to physiological maturity and anthesis to physiological maturity phases decreased an average 2.71, 4.13 and 1.42 days per decade, respectively, for all 10 locations that were analysed in this study. The sowing, emergence, anthesis and physiological maturity dates were positively correlated with an increase in temperature by an average 2.71, 1.41, 1.49 and 0.85 days per °C, respectively. However, the phenological phases such as sowing to anthesis, anthesis to maturity and sowing to maturity were negatively correlated with an increase in temperature by an average of 1.22, 0.64 and 1.86 days per °C, respectively, for all 10 locations. Applying a process‐based CSM‐CROPGRO‐Canola model using a standard cultivar (field tested) for all locations and years indicated that the simulated phenological stages occurred earlier due to the warming trend compared to the observed phenological stages. One‐quarter of the negative effects of this thermal trend was compensated by growing new cultivars that had higher thermal time requirements. Therefore, new canola genotypes with a higher number of growing degree day requirement and high temperature tolerance should be a priority for evolving new cultivars.     

Influence of Soil Temperature on Seedling Emergence and Early Growth of Peanut Cultivars in Field Conditions

Peanut or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) sown in early spring often has poor seed germination and seedling development. The influence of soil temperature on seedling emergence and early growth of six peanut cultivars (Florida MDR98, Southern Runner, Georgia Green, SunOleic 97R, Florunner and C‐99R) was studied in natural field soil profiles in temperature‐gradient greenhouses. We evaluated the influence of a range of soil temperatures by sowing at eight dates between January 2001 and May 2002 in Gainesville, Florida. On each sowing date, two additional temperature treatments (ambient and ambient +4.5 °C air temperature) were evaluated by sowing on either end of each greenhouse and applying differential heating. In total, 16 different soil temperature treatments were evaluated. Each treatment was replicated four times in four different greenhouses. Mean soil temperature from sowing to final emergence in different treatments ranged from 15 to 32 °C. Sowing date, temperature treatment and cultivar had significant effect on seedling emergence and development (V₂ stage). For all cultivars, the lowest germination was observed at the earliest sowing date (coolest soil temperature). Among cultivars, Florida MDR98 was the most sensitive to reduced (cool) temperature with the lowest germination and smallest seedling size at 21 days after sowing, followed by Southern Runner. Georgia Green was the most cold‐tolerant with the highest germination, followed by SunOleic 97R. There were no significant differences among cultivars for base temperature, which averaged 11.7 and 9.8 °C for rate of emergence and rate of development to V₂ stage respectively. These results imply that cultivar choice and/or genetic improvement of peanut for cold tolerance during emergence and seedling development in regions where cooler soil temperatures persist and/or regions where early sowing is desirable.     

A methodology for multi-objective cropping system design based on simulations. Application to weed management

Weeds are harmful for crop production but important for biodiversity. In order to design cropping systems that reconcile crop production and biodiversity, we need tools and methods to help farmers to deal with this issue. Here, we developed a novel method for multi-objective cropping system design aimed at scientists and technical institutes, combining a cropping system database, decision trees, the “virtual field” model FlorSys and indicators translating simulated weed floras into scores in terms of weed harmfulness (e.g. crop yield loss, weed-borne parasite risk, field infestation), weed-mediated biodiversity (e.g. food offer for bees) and herbicide use intensity. 255 existing cropping systems were simulated with FlorSys, individual indicator values were aggregated into a multi-performance score, and decision trees were built to identify combinations of management practices and probabilities for reaching performance goals. These trees are used to identify the characteristics of existing cropping systems that must be changed to achieve the chosen performance goals, depending on the user's risk strategy. Alternative systems are built and simulated with FlorSys to evaluate their multi-criteria performance. The method was applied to an existing oilseed rape/wheat/barley rotation with yearly mouldboard ploughing from Burgundy which was improved to reconcile weed harmfulness control, reduced herbicide use and biodiversity promotion, based on a risk-minimizing strategy. The best alternative replaced a herbicide entering plants via shoot tips (during emergence) and roots after barley sowing by a spring herbicide entering via leaves, introduced crop residue shredding before cereals and rolled the soil at sowing, which reduced the risk of unacceptable performance from 90% to 40%. When attempting to reconcile harmfulness control and reduced herbicide use, the best alternative changed the rotation to oilseed rape/wheat/spring pea/wheat, replaced one herbicide in oilseed rape by mechanical weeding, delayed tillage before rape and applied the PRE herbicide before oilseed rape closer to sowing. This option reduced the risk of unacceptable performance to 30%. None of the initial or alternative cropping systems succeeded in optimal performance, indicating that more diverse cropping systems with innovative management techniques and innovative combinations of techniques are needed to build the decision trees. This approach can be used in workshops with extension services and farmers in order to design cropping systems. Compared to expert-based design, it has the advantage to go beyond well-known options (e.g. plough before risky crops) to identify unconventional options, with a particular focus on interactions between cultural techniques.     

Mechanical wounding under field conditions: A potential tool to increase the allelopathic inhibitory effect of cover crops on weeds?

To increase the inhibitory effect of soil-incorporated cover crop residues on germination and early growth of weeds, the allelochemical content of the cover crop at the time of soil incorporation should be maximal. We investigated whether mechanical damaging in spring induced the production of allelochemicals in late-summer sown lucerne, winter rye and winter oilseed rape. Allelopathic activity and biomass of intact cover crop plants were determined throughout spring, and mechanically damaged plants were monitored till 14 days after wounding. Allelopathic activity was determined directly by lettuce seedling bioassays (lucerne and winter rye) or indirectly by glucosinolate quantification (winter oilseed rape). During spring, the allelopathic activity per unit biomass of intact plants showed a gradual decline for winter rye and lucerne, and a steep decline at the onset of flowering for winter oilseed rape. All cover crop species attained the highest allelopathic activity per unit area at the end of the sampling period as the increase in biomass surpassed the decline in allelopathic activity per unit biomass. Although mechanical wounding enhanced the allelopathic activity per unit biomass of all three species, the effect was only minor and often just sufficient to compensate for the loss in biomass resulting from wounding. This study therefore indicates that the best option for maximizing the inhibitory effect is to incorporate residues of intact cover crops as late as possible.     

Waterlogging tolerance of pea at germination

Peas (Pisum sativum L.) are exposed to waterlogging at germination when grown as relay in rice‐based cropping. Ninety‐one germplasm accessions were evaluated in relay (sown in waterlogged soil), and subsequently 10 diverse genotypes compared under relay and sole cropping (conventional tillage sowing) over two seasons in Bangladesh. Contrasting genotypes, BM‐3, NL‐2 and Kaspa, were further evaluated in three waterlogging treatments (drained control, 4 and 8 days waterlogging) in the glasshouse. Conspicuous variation in waterlogging tolerance at germination was observed in the field and confirmed under controlled conditions. In relay sowing in 2011, emergence of a few genotypes was affected by waterlogging. In 2012, emergence in relay was severely affected (12 plants/m²) compared to sole sowing (37 plants/m²). Among genotypes BM‐3 had 6 plants/m² emerge, which all subsequently died, in contrast to NL‐2 in which emergence was 13 plants/m² with all plants surviving. In the glasshouse, there was 14% emergence in BM‐3, 40% in NL‐2 and 55% in Kaspa after 8 days of waterlogging. Such marked differences in waterlogging tolerance at germination in the model pea are the first reported and illustrate prospects for selection to improve adaptation to relay sowing in South Asia.     

不同作物秸秆腐解液对节节麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

节节麦(Aegilops tauschii Coss.)作为麦田恶性杂草之一,给中国小麦生产带来了严重的经济损失。为探究农作物秸秆在节节麦生态防治方面的作用,本试验采用了滤纸培养皿法和小杯法研究了不同浓度的玉米、油菜、水稻秸秆及稻壳腐解液对节节麦种子萌发率、发芽指数及幼苗根长、苗高和干重5项生物指标的影响。结果表明,当浓度为6.25 mg/mL时,玉米、油菜秸秆腐解液对节节麦幼苗干重表现为促进作用,对其他测定指标均为抑制作用。稻壳腐解液除了对根长具有抑制作用外,对其他指标均具有促进作用。水稻秸秆腐解液对5项指标均具有促进作用。当浓度大于50 mg/mL时,4种秸秆腐解液对5项指标均具有抑制作用,且随着浓度的增加,抑制作用增强。总体来说,作物秸秆腐解液对节节麦的化感作用强弱依次为玉米秸秆、油菜秸秆、稻壳、水稻秸秆,且对根的化感作用尤为明显。     

不同播期与基本苗对小麦生长发育及产量构成的影响

为探明稻麦周年生产条件下小麦种植适宜播期和基本苗组合,于2012—2014 年在江苏省沭阳县进行了播期和基本苗组合试验,研究了不同播期（10 月10 日、10 月17 日、10 月24 日、10 月31 日和11 月7日、11 月14 日）和基本苗（180 万/hm2、270 万/hm2、360 万/hm2、450 万/hm2、540 万/hm2）条件下小麦生长发育及产量构成。结果表明,出苗率主要受播期影响,迟播降低明显;随着播期推迟小麦叶龄逐渐变小,全生育期缩短,缩短天数少于播期推迟天数。基本苗处理对出苗率和叶龄影响不大。相同生育阶段,同一播期随着基本苗的增加茎蘖总数增多,相同基本苗处理随着播期的推迟茎蘖总数减少。播期对小麦株高、穗下节间以及穗长影响明显。单产随着播期推迟先升后降,不同播期和基本苗处理对产量构成影响显著或极显著。因此,淮北地区稻茬麦遇冷冬适宜播期在10 月17—24 日,遇暖冬适宜播期在10 月17—31日,最佳基本苗360万/hm2。     

The effect of wheat straw residue on the emergence and early growth of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

The management of straw residue can be a concern in non-inversion tillage systems where straw tends to be incorporated at shallow depths or left on the soil surface. This can lead to poor crop establishment because straw residue can impede or hinder crop emergence and growth. Small container-based experiments were undertaken using varying amounts of wheat straw residue either incorporated or placed on the soil surface. The effects on days to seedling emergence, percentage emergence, seedling dry-weight and soil temperature using sugar beet and oilseed rape were investigated because these crops often follow wheat in a cropping sequence.The position of the straw residue was found to be the primary factor in reducing crop emergence and growth. Increasing the amount of straw residue (from 3.3 t ha^?1 to 6.7 t ha^?1) did not show any consistent trends in reducing crop emergence or growth. However, in some instances, results indicated that an interaction between the position and the amount of straw residue occurred particularly when the straw and seed was placed on the soil surface. Straw placed on the soil surface significantly reduced mean day-time soil temperature by approximately 2.5 °C compared to no residue. When the seed and straw was placed on the soil surface a lack of seed-to-soil contact caused a reduction in emergence by approximately 30% because of the restriction in available moisture that limited the ability for seed imbibition. This trend was reversed when the seed was placed in the soil, but with straw residue still on the soil surface, because the surface straw was likely to reduce moisture evaporation and improved seed-to-soil contact that led to rapid emergence. In general, when straw was mixed in or placed on the soil surface along with the seed, sugar beet and oilseed rape emergence and early growth biomass was significantly restricted by approximately 50% compared to no residue.The consequences of placing seed with or near to straw residue have been shown to cause a restriction in crop establishment. In both oilseed rape and sugar beet, this could lead to a reduction in final crop densities, poor, uneven growth and potentially lower yields that could lower financial margins. Therefore, if farmers are planning to use non-inversion tillage methods for crop establishment, the management and removal of straw residue from near or above the seed is considered important for successful crop establishment.     

低温胁迫对北疆棉花出苗的影响及适宜播种期的研究

【目的】为了解决新疆北疆地区棉花播种出苗期低温冷害问题,【方法】利用人工气候室,对种子低温胁迫设计不同温度进行播种出苗试验,并结合近20年农业气象观测资料,研究播种至出苗的适宜播种温度指标、积温指标、确定棉花适宜播种期。【结果】试验结果表明：棉花种子的萌芽率、萌芽天数、萌芽长度、萌芽鲜重及出苗率等各项参数随温度呈非线性有规律变化。棉花种子低温胁迫时间越长出苗越滞后,所需的积温较多。北疆地区棉花主栽品种播种出苗下限温度为12℃,需要活动积温在160℃.d以上,≥12℃有效积温在55℃.d以上。【结论】通过人工气候室试验结合大田实际监测研究,新疆北疆地区稳定通过12℃应作为棉花主栽品种播种的初始期；播种期确定在4月下旬,出苗期可免受春季低温冷害的威胁。     

Genetic variation for secondary seed dormancy and seed longevity in a set of black‐seeded European winter oilseed rape cultivars

Secondary seed dormancy in oilseed rape is a phenomenon that allows seeds to survive in the soil for many years without germination. Following soil cultivation, dormant seeds may germinate in subsequent years, and they are the main reason for the occurrence of volunteer oilseed rape plants in successive crops. Inheritance of secondary dormancy may be related to seed longevity (SL) in the soil. Genetic reduction in secondary dormancy and SL could provide a mean to reduce the frequency of volunteer plants and especially the dispersal of transgenic oilseed rape. The aim of the present study was to analyse secondary dormancy, germination rate and SL of 28 black‐seeded winter oilseed rape cultivars using in vitro laboratory tests. The material was tested in field experiments at six different locations in Germany in 2008/2009. Significant effects of the genotype and the location on all traits were found. Heritability was high for secondary dormancy (0.97) and moderate for germination rate (0.70) and SL (0.71). Results indicate that a selection for low secondary dormancy would be effective.     

Assessing non-chemical weeding strategies through mechanistic modelling of blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.) dynamics

Because of environmental and health safety issues, it is necessary to develop strategies that do not rely on herbicides to manage weeds. Introducing temporary grassland into annual crop rotations and mechanical weeding are the two main features that are frequently used in integrated and organic cropping systems for this purpose. To evaluate the contribution of these two factors in interaction with other cropping system components and environmental conditions, the present study updated an existing biophysical model (i.e. AlomySys) that quantifies the effects of cropping system on weed dynamics. Based on previous experiments, new sub-models were built to describe the effects on plant survival and growth reduction of mechanical weeding resulting from weed seedling uprooting and covering by soil, and those of grassland mowing resulting from tiller destruction. Additional modifications described the effect of the multi-year crop canopy of grassland on weed survival, growth, development and seed return to the soil. The improved model was used to evaluate the weed dynamics over 27 years in the conventional herbicide-based cropping system most frequently observed in farm surveys (i.e. oilseed rape/winter wheat/winter barley rotation with superficial tillage) and then to test prospective non-chemical scenarios. Preliminary simulations tested a large range of mechanical weeding and mowing strategies, varying operation frequencies, dates and, in the case of mechanical weeding, characteristics (i.e. tool, working depth, tractor speed). For mechanical weeding soon after sowing, harrowing was better than hoeing for controlling weed seed production. The later the operation, the more efficient the hoeing and the less efficient the harrowing. Tractor speed had little influence. Increasing tilling depth increased plant mortality but increased weed seed production because of additional seed germination triggering by the weeding tool. Decreasing the interrow width for hoeing was nefarious for weed control. The best combinations were triple hoeing in oilseed rape and sextuple harrowing in cereals. The best mowing strategy was mowing thrice, every 4–6 weeks, starting in mid-May. The best individual options were combined, simulated over 27 years and compared to the herbicide-based reference system. If herbicide applications were replaced solely by mechanical weeding, blackgrass infestation could not be satisfactorily controlled. If a three-year lucerne was introduced into the rotation, weed infestations were divided by ten. Replacing chisel by mouldboard ploughing before winter wheat reduced weed infestations at short, medium and long term to a level comparable to the herbicide-based reference system.     

Stability of the cleistogamous trait during the flowering period of oilseed rape

At the field scale, the co-existence of different farming production systems requires strategies to prevent gene flow between adjacent crops. Oilseed rape produces pollen dispersed by wind and insects and the risks of pollen mediated gene flow are significant for this crop. Cleistogamy, the trait of non-opening flowers, could be used to reduce pollen flow. Cleistogamous oilseed rape genotypes were obtained by INRA in France and were bred in order to improve the stability of this trait. In this paper, we examine the reliability of the cleistogamous trait for two inbred lines. The flower opening level was measured at different dates during the flowering period in six field experiments (three sites × 2 years). The results showed that some flowers were partially opened with rates varying from 0.5% to 33% principally depending on genotypes, trials (site and year) and recording dates. Given that other studies have shown that cleistogamy could reduce pollen dispersal, we consider that, even when partially unstable, cleistogamy could be beneficially used in combination with other means in a containment strategy.     

Dynamic Prediction of Cotton Regional Yield Based on the COSIM Model - A Case Study of Akesu City,Xinjiang

[Objective] Dynamic prediction of crop yield using a crop growth simulation model is the focus of increasing research attention. [Method] Based on meteorological, cotton yield, and cotton phenology data recorded at Akesu in Xinjiang from 1991 to 2014, this study aimed to improve the accuracy of crop yield prediction by the COSIM model. The average sowing date for each study year, as well as multiple sowing dates during the suitable sowing period, was imported into the COSIM model, and the two yield prediction methods were compared and analyzed. [Result] The accuracy of both yield prediction methods was higher than 90.0%, indicating that the two methods showed good applicability at Akesu. However, the method using multiple sowing dates during the suitable sowing period showed higher prediction accuracy when cotton yield was dynamically predicted in each month and the actual sowing date was uncertain. [Conclusion] The two prediction methods based on the crop growth simulation model are suitable for prediction of cotton yield at Akesu. In addition, according to the characteristics of different forecast years, the appropriate forecasting method can be used to improve the accuracy of prediction. The results also provide a reference for dynamic prediction of cotton yield in other cotton-producing areas.     

直播早稻适宜播种温度分析

为满足近年来直播稻种植的气象服务需求，开展直播早稻适宜播种温度研究。以南昌地区的常规种植早稻‘湘早籼45’为研究对象，设置3月26日、3月29日、4月2日、4月5日以及4月10日共5个播期，研究分析不同播期下直播早稻的出苗率、农艺性状以及产量的特征。结果表明，成苗率与出苗期间平均气温和平均最低气温呈显著正相关关系；适时早播有利于提高直播早稻有效穗数、每穗粒数和结实率；气温对苗高和叶龄变化有明显影响。连续3~5日平均温度达18℃，日最低气温在15℃以上时，有利早稻直播。     

豫东地区大蒜标准化生产播期试验研究

为探讨豫东地区大蒜适宜的播种期，给当地大蒜标准化生产提供理论依据，试验以中牟大白蒜为材料，安排了18个播种期，测定大蒜不同播期下的出苗率、茎粗、株高、死苗率、抽薹率、二次生长率、蒜薹及蒜头产量等指标，分析播期对大蒜生长发育和产量的影响。结果表明：播种期不同，对大蒜产量和品质的影响也不同。较早播种的大蒜出苗慢，单株生长量有优势，假茎粗、株高大，死苗率高，苗期虫害严重，总体产量不高。播种过晚，出苗快，出苗率高，出苗后生长势强，适宜生长期较短，二次生长率较高，总体产量低。综合性状结果表明豫东地区10月4日前后播种，蒜头及蒜薹产量高，综合性状优良，为试验推荐的豫东地区大蒜标准化生产适宜播种期。     

冬油菜苗期化学除草效果和经济效益研究

为筛选出经济、高效、安全的化学除草方法,有效控制油菜田间杂草危害,提高油菜产量和种植效益,通过试验,研究了2种化学除草剂不同使用浓度的安全性和苗期化学除草效果,并以人工除草和不除草方法为对照,对比分析不同除草方法的投入和产出情况。结果表明：不同除草方法间油菜产量差异显著;化学除草方法对油菜田间杂草有较好的防除效果,并可显著降低油菜生产的劳动力和生产成本投入,进而提高经济效益;不同化学除草方法均于施药35天后表现出较好的除草效果;每公顷用21.2%喹·胺·草除灵悬浮剂900 mL于油菜4—5叶期、杂草3—4叶期兑水900 kg及时喷施的方法除草效果好,对油菜生长安全,可以作为冬油菜田的苗期化学除草方法在生产上应用。     

Rapid and efficient screening of phosphinothricin tolerant oilseed rape (Brassica napus) with a novel germination test

A novel screening test is described for the discrimination of transgenic phosphinothricin tolerant oilseed rape from non transgenic rape seedlings. The method is based on the germination of rape seeds on filter paper soaked with a 0.005% phosphinothricin solution. Under these conditions inhibition of seedling development by the herbicide can be observed after 10 days. The germination test gains an advantage over the routinely used herbicide spraying, because it is rapid, needs little space and allows efficient screening of huge numbers of seeds. The assay has been successfully applied to the screening of different transgenic and non transgenic rapeseed varieties/lines and has been compared to other methods such asBasta® spray test, drop test, ELISA-technique and PCR-amplification of the pat gene. This test allows on one hand large screening programmes to monitor the foreign gene in the environment and on the other quality control of seedlots before market introduction of herbicide tolerant oilseed rape.     

Predictive study of the advantages of cleistogamy in oilseed rape in limiting unwanted gene flow

Summary The aim of this study was to evaluate the interest of beginning the selection process on a new genetic characteristic, cleistogamy, to manage gene flow in oilseed rape. The first step was to introduce this characteristic in an existing model of gene flow between oilseed rape populations in time and space, GeneSys-Rape. The second step was to evaluate the parameters of the model linked to this characteristic using field experimentations. Cleistogamous oilseed rape was shown to have an autogamy rate as high as 94% and to emit 10 times less pollen than an open-flowered oilseed rape in the same conditions. But the cleistogamous character was also shown to be unstable in the genotypes tested. The third step was to evaluate the interest of cleistogamy using simulations comparing several genotypes with or without cleistogamy in two different cropping systems. These simulations showed that an oilseed rape both dwarf and cleistogamous was interesting to limit gene escape and that a 99%-autogamous oilseed rape was interesting to limit both gene escape from and harvest contamination of the 99%-autogamous oilseed rape.