Worldwide rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) research: A bibliometric analysis during 2011–2021

Rapeseed(Brassica napus L.) is the world?s second produced oilseed and accounts for nearly 12% of world major vegetable oil production. For the last 10 years, the production, planting area, and yield of rapeseed have been stable, with improvement of seed quality and especially seed oil content. This paper presented the worldwide rapeseed research by using the bibliometric analysis of papers published during the period 2011–2021. In total,7617 articles and reviews were included in this analysis. ...     

Association of growth dynamics, yield components and seed quality in long-term trials covering rapeseed cultivation history at high latitudes

Brassica oilseed yield trend has declined in Finland by over 20% during the last 15 years. Improved genetic yield potential of turnip rape (B. rapa L.) and oilseed rape (B. napus L.) can be better realised with increased understanding of yield determining processes under northernmost growing conditions. This study aimed at (1) determining the genetic improvements in seed yield, yield components, quality traits and duration of the main growth phases and (2) comparing all these traits in turnip rape and oilseed rape. This work is based on the dataset from long-term Official Variety Trials (1976–2006), covering the entire historically relevant period of rapeseed cultivation in Finland. The results indicated that number of seeds per square metre dominated production of high yields, while single seed weight was not correlated with yield. Over the years, seed yields were produced with very different combinations of seed numbers and weights, differing markedly between the two crops. While high seed numbers were required for production of superior seed yields, single seed weights were not particularly high. Environmental variation markedly affected seed yield, seed number per square metre and duration of flowering compared with its effect on single seed weight. Duration of flowering was, however, negatively associated with seed number. Even though seed weight was largely determined by genotype, no marked plant breeding improvements were identified, contrary to those in number of seeds per square metre, seed yield, oil content and oil yield. For oilseed rape the increase in seed yield (41%) was far higher than for turnip rape (19%) without being associated with a longer seed-filling phase and later ripening, but rather the contrary.     

Yield of Brassica napus L. hybrids developed using resynthesized rapeseed material sown at different locations

The utilisation of resynthesized Brassica napus (RS) genotypes in commercial breeding programmes is restricted to the development of intraspecific hybrids, so-called semi-synthetic rapeseed, and backcross progenies. In order to determine the general combining ability (GCA) of different rapeseed material, nine high-erucic acid RS lines and three old spring rapeseed cultivars were used as pollinators of male sterile double-low spring rapeseed lines (MSL-system). Yield performance of the single-cross hybrids was tested in a multi-location field trial that revealed a high yield potential of semi-synthetic rapeseed hybrids based on RS lines. The use of such resynthesized rapeseed forms in developing rapeseed hybrids and their possible use in future oilseed breeding is discussed.     

Responses of Seed Yield and Quality to Nitrogen Application Levels in Two Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Varieties Differing in Nitrogen Efficiency

Abstract

The relationship between nitrogen efficiency (NE), defined as seed yield per unit nitrogen (N) application, and seed quality was examined in two oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) varieties at 5 N application levels, 0.6, 3, 6, 12, 15 mmol L?¹, N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄ and N₅, respectively. Seed yield, oil yield and protein content were increased with the increase in N application level, but NE and oil content were decreased, and the fatty acid composition in seed was hardly changed. Analysis of seven fatty acids revealed aslight decrease in the contents of erucic acid and arachidonic acid with the increase in N application level, but no obvious change in the contents of palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Compared with the low NE variety H29, the seed yield and contents of erucic acid and arachidonic acid in the high NE variety bin270 were more markedly increased with the increase in N application level, and the oil content was hardly changed. The seed yield, oilcontent and oil yield were higher in the high NE variety than in the low NE variety at all 5 N application levels. There were no significant differences in protein, palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid contents between the varieties at any of the 5 N application levels, but there were slight differences in the linoleic acid and linolenic acid contents between the two varieties. In brief, N application improved oil yield more greatly in the high NE variety than in the low NE variety, but hardly affected the fatty acid composition. Therefore, the seed quality and oil content of oilseed rape may not be decreased by breeding of a high NE variety with a high N absorption efficiency and high N use efficiency.     

Trade-off between oil and protein in rapeseed at high latitudes: Means to consolidate protein crop status?

Crop-derived feed protein production is alarmingly low in Europe. Finland represents the northernmost growing region in the world and consequently lacks wide-ranging alternatives to improve crop-based protein production. Spring rapeseed, both turnip rape (Brassica rapa L.) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), are adapted to such northern conditions. This study examines the potential for genotype and environment induced trade-off between oil and protein in rapeseed in order to enhance further the status of rapeseed as a protein crop for northern areas. Datasets on advanced breeding progenies (including cultivars) were provided by Boreal Plant Breeding Ltd., while environment-induced variability in combinations of protein and oil content was studied by using long-term, multi-location datasets of MTT Official Variety Trials. Oilseed rape has more potential as a protein producer than turnip rape, with some 100 kg/ha difference in protein yields. Selecting lines superior in seed protein content at the expense of oil was not a potential means to consolidate protein production capacity per hectare: seed and protein yields were higher the better the capacity of the line to store oil. This can only mean that obviously the lower energy demand for oil synthesis was not alternatively used to boost protein production, but actually vice versa. In the case of environment-induced variation, the highest protein yields were produced in experiments where relatively high protein content was associated with modest oil content, but such conditions were characterised as inefficient in general production capacity and thereby, excessive in applied nitrogen fertiliser. Hence, we were not able to identify promising opportunities for prompt and energy-efficient trade-off between protein and oil in rapeseed.     

Developing nominal threshold levels for Phyllotreta cruciferae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) damage on canola in Montana,USA

The flea beetles Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) and Phyllotreta striolata (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are serious pests infesting canola (Brassica napus L.; Brassicales: Brassicaceae) in the Northern Great Plains of the United States. In Montana, P. cruciferae is the only flea beetle species that attacks canola during the crop growing stage. Management of P. cruciferae is usually focused on treating adults feeding on canola seedlings, which is the stage most vulnerable to flea beetle damage. In the Golden Triangle area in Montana, canola growers traditionally use seed treatments or calendar based spraying to control P. cruciferae. Here, we compared calendar-based spraying with seed treatment and threshold-based treatment. The experiment treatments included threshold levels (15–20, 25, 45% of leaf area damaged), calendar based sprays (15, 30 and 45 day intervals after plant emergence), seed treatments (imidacloprid), and untreated controls. The trials were done at two locations (Conrad and Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center). We found that calendar-based spraying at a 15-day interval did not differ significantly in yields from threshold-based treatment at 15–20% leaf damage. Also, the seed treatment did not give significantly higher yields compared to calendar-based sprays. A negative correlation was detected between leaf damage and yield in each treatment. Overall, calendar-based and threshold-based treatments were most effective in improving yields. However, treatment made at the threshold of 15–20% leaf area damage is recommended in order to reduce the number of chemical applications and also to reduce the possibility of selecting for resistance in flea beetles.     

油菜不同类型品种磷效率特性研究

在鄂东南有效磷缺乏的红黄壤稻田土壤条件下，以我国1508份油菜品种资源预选核心品为材料，研究磷营养水平对不同类型油菜生长发育和产量的影响。试验结果表明，低磷条件下不同类型油菜品种苗期植株生长量和籽粒产量差异较大，甘蓝型、白菜型和芥菜型油菜分别只有48％、43％和15％的品种能正常生育获得种籽，50％以上的品种于苗期和生长期死亡或不能正常开花结实。施磷处理的油菜能正常生长收获种籽，但不同类型和不同品种的苗期干物重及籽粒产量差异较大。     

First report of Leptosphaeria sclerotioides on Brassica napus in Northwestern China

In 2020, diseased seedlings of winter oilseed rape(Brassica napus) with cankered taproots as well as abundant sclerotium-like structures in the soil surrounding the roots were found in Longxi County of Gansu province of northwestern China. A fungus with production of pycnidia was isolated from the diseased roots, and it was identified based on morphological characteristics, molecular phylogeny(ITS, LSU) and PCR detection with the specific primers. The fungus was identified as Leptosphaeria scler...     

Nutritional Value of Commercial Protein-Rich Plant Products

The goal of this work was to analyze nutritional value of various minimally processed commercial products of plant protein sources such as faba bean (Vicia faba), lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), rapeseed press cake (Brassica rapa/napus subsp. Oleifera), flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), oil hemp seed (Cannabis sativa), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa). Basic composition and various nutritional components like amino acids, sugars, minerals, and dietary fiber were determined. Nearly all the samples studied could be considered as good sources of essential amino acids, minerals and dietary fiber. The highest content of crude protein (over 30 g/100 g DW) was found in faba bean, blue lupin and rapeseed press cake. The total amount of essential amino acids (EAA) ranged from 25.8 g/16 g N in oil hemp hulls to 41.5 g/16 g N in pearled quinoa. All the samples studied have a nutritionally favorable composition with significant health benefit potential. Processing (dehulling or pearling) affected greatly to the contents of analyzed nutrients.     

Yield and oil variability in modern varieties of high-erucic winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera) and Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) under reduced agricultural inputs

Increasing interest in vegetable oils for use in green chemistry has stimulated research into high-erucic Brassicaceae species such as winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera) and Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun). The objective of this study was to determine the yield response of recently released cultivars of these species under high and low production inputs. The varieties Maplus and Hearty of B. napus, and BRK1 of B. carinata were cultivated with autumn sowing in a large-scale field trial at the experimental farm of the University of Padova in Legnaro (NE Italy, 45°21′N). The genotypes were compared under high and low input management systems: high input was characterised by conventional soil tillage, chemical weed control, and high N–P–K fertilization, and low input by minimum tillage, mechanical weed control, and limited N–P–K fertilization.Oilseed rape varieties had greater seed yield than BRK1, and interactions with input level and cultivation year were significant. Maplus yielded most at high input (3.78 vs. 3.31 t ha⁻¹ DM at low; average of two years), whereas Hearty showed no significant differences between inputs (3.49 t ha⁻¹; average of years and inputs), indicating its better adaptability to extensive agricultural management. Yield performance of BRK1 B. carinata was very stable at varying agricultural managements, but not very high (2.73 t ha⁻¹ on average) – a fact that may limit its competitiveness with oilseed rape in autumn sowing, especially at higher latitudes. B. carinata was also more variable across the years than oilseed rape in terms of seed yield, oil content, and percentage of erucic acid. This was mainly due to the particular climatic conditions of the second year of the experiment (mild winter; hot, dry spring) which led to considerable winter elongation and pre-flowering, and later to incomplete seed filling. In these conditions, BRK1 had both lower oil seed content (36.7% vs. 47.1%) and erucic acid (41.3% vs. 49.1%) than oilseed rapes.In general, with few exceptions, the reduction in inputs did not affect either seed oil content or the amount of erucic acid, regardless of variety and year, but seed crude proteins were reduced mainly because of N shortage.     

甘蓝型油菜苗期抗旱性鉴定及综合抗旱指标筛选

为系统评价甘蓝型油菜（Brassica napus L.）苗期的抗旱性,筛选出合理的油菜抗旱指标,为区域栽培提供材料和理论依据,对10种甘蓝型油菜品种和材料采取持续干旱（控水15d）和正常浇水两种处理,针对温室控水试验结果,分析干旱胁迫对油菜生理生化、生长发育、根系形态等34个指标的影响,结合综合抗旱系数、因子分析和隶属函数进行综合评价;在此基础上,运用聚类分析和灰色关联度分析筛选抗旱性评价指标和划分抗旱类型。结果表明,CDC值（综合抗旱系数）和加权抗旱系数均与相对产量呈显著正相关。根据CDC值,材料抗旱性由强到弱为：145027 > 绵油11 >万油27 > 渝油28 > 汉油8号>中双11号>德杂油5号>万油25 >GH06 > GH04/GH02。对CDC值聚类分析,可将10种参试材料抗旱性聚为3级,其中145027为Ⅰ级,绵油11、万油27、渝油28、汉油8号、中双11号 为Ⅱ级,德杂油5号、万油25、GH06、GH04/GH02为Ⅲ级。关联度分析结果表明,光合参数指标、含水量指标、植株 形态和根系性状指标与油菜苗期的抗旱性关系密切。      

Comparison of Mineral Oil and Rapeseed Oil Used for the Protection of Seed Potatoes against PVY and PVM Infections

The aim of this research was to compare the effectiveness of mineral oil with rapeseed oil in the protection of potato seeds against Potato virus Y (PVY) and Potato virus M (PVM) infection. The research was carried out under field conditions in the north of Poland, in the Department of Potato Protection and Seed Science of the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute??National Research Institute at Bonin. The effects of oil protection on potato seed infection by viruses, yield, and its structure and phytotoxity were assessed. Two rapeseed oils and one mineral oil were used: Olejan 85 EC (85% of natural rapeseed oil), alimentary oil Marlibo (100% of natural rapeseed oil) and Sunspray 850 EC (98.8% mineral oil+1.2% emulsifier). The effectiveness of oils in protection against PVY and PVM tuber infection was tested on two cultivars (Clarissa and Rosalind), which have a different level of resistance to the two viruses. The assessment of phytotoxicity was carried out on 10 potato cultivars from different earliness groups (Augusta, Bryza, Cekin, Clarissa, Impala, Krasa, Rosalind, Satina, Velox). Two oil concentrations, 2% and 4% were applied. During the growing period, eight to nine oil treatments were applied at 7-day intervals. The effectiveness of rapeseed oils against PVY and PVM was much weaker than that of the mineral oil and for the susceptible cultivar the percentage infected tubers did not differ significantly from untreated crops. However, Olejan 85 EC deserves attention as it significantly reduced PVY infection across years in the more resistant cultivar, especially in the case of a lower concentration (2% vs. 4%). When there are no other means of protection to use on organic seed plantations, this oil can be used as an alternative, especially in the case of cultivars which are moderately resistant to PVY. A disadvantage of its application may be the fact that in some years symptoms of phytotoxicity on potato plants were recorded and a lowering of tuber yield.     

Different irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer treatments on some agro-physiologic traits in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

In order to investigate the effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on agronomical and physiological traits of two winter rapeseed varieties, an experiment was established in a randomized complete block design as split-plot factorial arrangement with four replications in 2005-2006 at Agricultural Research Station of Khorramabad, Iran. Irrigation as main-plot factor consisted of four levels (I60, I90, I120 and I150). Sub-plot factors included nitrogen in four levels (N0, N70, N140, and N210 kg N ha(-1)) and two varieties (Zarfam and SLM046). Thousand-seed weight (TSW) in all irrigation and nitrogen levels was lower in the 2006 than that of the 2005. Seed oil percentage (SOP) was decreased with increasing water use only in second year. As nitrogen rate increased, SOP decreased and seed oil yield (SOY) increased in the 2006 significantly (p < 0.05). With increasing water supply, SOY increased in first year. Zarfam variety had a higher TSW and SOP in both years. According to combined analysis results, seed and oil yield were not significantly affected by irrigation treatments and rapeseed varieties. Seed yield had not significant difference between 70 to 210 kg N ha(-1) treatments. Both Water Use Efficiency (WUE) and dry matter remobilization efficiency (DMRE) were increased by decreasing water supply in I90 to I150 treatments. But N0 and N210 resulted in the lowest WUE and DMRE, respectively. Considering all traits, the first year of experiment was better than second year. The irrigation x variety interaction had a significant (p < 0.01) effect on seed yield and WUE. Generally, I150N70V1 combination is recommended in the region of the study due to high performance in production of seed and oil yield.     

Planting date and development of spring-seeded irrigated canola, brown mustard and camelina

With increased emphasis on bio-diesel fuels, the influence of spring planting on development of brown mustard (Brassica juncea cv. Arid), canola (B. napus cv. Hyola 401) and camelina (Camelina sativa cv. Boa) has become important. Field trials were conducted at Scottsbluff, NE, in 2005 and 2006 at planting dates of 24 February, 24 March, 7 April, 21 April and 5 May, and 3 March, 3 April, 10 April, 27 April, 11 May, and 2 Jun, respectively. Emergence time was shorter with later planting. Flowering date was later with later planting but occurred within a range of degree days (P-days). Fruiting was affected by date and P-days, but seed maturity was not affected by planting date and was unrelated to P-days. Fleabeetle (Phyllotreta spp.) damage was very high in brown mustard and canola. Bird, primarily house finch (Carppodacus mexicanus), feeding was a major problem with brown mustard planted before mid April and in canola, only with the first planting. Camelina was not affected by either. Planting in April gave the best yields, and canola could yield over 2200 kg ha⁻¹. Oil content of the Brassica was highest when planted from late March and later. For camelina, planting date had no effect. In brown mustard and canola, 60-65% of oil was C18:1, in camelina, about 15%. Later planting increased C18:1 content for the three crops. The second fatty acid was C18:2 with 20% in brown mustard, 18% in canola and 20% in camelina. Later planting increased C18:2 in camelina only. The major fatty acid in camelina was C18:3 at 32-37%; earlier planting increased the content of C18:3. In Camelina, C20:1 comprised about 12% of the oil and was highest with April planting. Canola and camelina seeded in April could be grown for oil successfully in western Nebraska.     

Marker gene excision in transgenic Brassica napus via Agrobacterium-mediated Cre/lox transient expression system

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is one of the most important oil crops in the world. However, study on marker-free transgene of B. napus for bio-safety purpose is limited in this allotetraploid crop. In order to advance marker gene excision research, a newly designed Cre/lox system combining crossing and auto-excision strategy was introduced into B. napus. The system consists of 2 sets of independent vectors including pC35Spro::T7RP carrying T7 RNA polymerase and pCT7pro::Cre carrying T7 promoter respectively. After hybridization of 2 according types of transgenic B. napus, marker gene would be removed as T7 RNA polymerase facilitate T7 promoter to promote Cre gene expression. Totally 52 and 46 positive T₀ transgenic lines of these 2 vectors were obtained after identification by PCR and test trip. T₁ plants from 3 T₀ positive pC35Spro::T7RP lines and 2 T₀ positive pC35Spro::T7RP lines were identified as single copy according to segregation ratio and were chosen for crossing. However, expression of CP4 EPSPS (glyphosate resistance gene) and OXY (bromoxynil resistance gene) were not found in F₁ progeny, which proved that the excision was not complete. The possible reasons for our limited success were investigated and detailed analyses were performed. Although this system is not applicable for generating transgenic B. napus free from selectable marker gene, it provided valuable experience and clue for further improvement of this technique. Many other advantages and further improvement will be progressed in future work.     

New host resistances to Pseudocercosporella capsellae and implications for white leaf spot management in Brassicaceae crops

Effective host resistance is the most cost-effective long term prospect for successful management of white leaf spot disease (Pseudocercosporella capsellae) in Brassicaceae. In two separate field trials, 168 genotypes were screened. In the first trial, lines of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (59), Brassica napus (34), Brassica juncea (6) and B. juncea containing wild weedy Brassicaceae introgression(s) (14) were arranged; and in the second, Australian historic and current B. napus (45) and B. juncea (10) varieties were screened. There was wide variation in expression of resistance, from complete resistance to highly susceptible as assessed by two disease parameters, viz. (i), Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) for percent leaves diseased (values 0–221.2) and (ii) Percent Leaf Collapse Index (%LCI) values for leaf collapse due to disease (0–38.7). Brassica oleracea var. capitata was overall the most resistant species, while B. juncea the most susceptible with the majority having AUDPC values >75 and B. napus was intermediate. Five B. oleracea var. capitata genotypes were completely resistant, with 0 AUDPC and %LCI values. Pioneer^® 45Y22 (RR) ‘Mystic’ and ‘Wahoo’ were also highly resistant, with the least %LCI (<3.7) and AUDPC (<20) of the Australian B. napus varieties. In contrast, ‘Thunder TT’ (AUDPC -133.6; %CLI – 15.6) and ‘Carbine’ (AUDPC – 73.8; %CLI – 12.5) were the most susceptible lines in first and second trials, respectively. The particularly high susceptibility of newly released B. juncea varieties such as ‘Xceed OasisCL’ highlights the risk of significant losses in such susceptible varieties when deployed in areas with high degree of pressure for white leaf spot disease. There was no association between AUDPC or % CLI with year of Australian varietal release, indicating that Australian breeding programs not made improvement for resistance to white leaf spot over the past two or more decades. Resistant varieties identified in this experiment can now not only be utilized in breeding programs to significantly improve overall crop resistance and management of white leaf spot disease, but also directly deployed to lower the severe inoculum load challenging current varieties.     

Genome-wide association study identifies novel loci and candidate genes for drought stress tolerance in rapeseed

Rapeseed(Brassica napus)is one of the most important oil crops worldwide;however,drought seriously curtails its growth and productivity.Identifying drought-tolerant germplasm is an efficient strategy for addressing water shortages.Here,we phenotyped a panel of 264 B.napus accessions at full-bloom stage using water loss ratio(WLR)as drought-tolerant index.It identified 8 low-WLR and 6 high-WLR accessions,regarded as droughttolerant and drought-sensitive,respectively.Comparing with drought-sensitive accessions at the seedling stage,drought-tolerant accessions had shown better performance in maintaining fresh and dry weights,and performed the higher expression of drought-induced marker genes under drought stress.Subsequently,a total of 139 SNPs(single nucleotide polymorphisms)were identified associated with the WLR using a genome-wide association study(GWAS)among 264 B.napus accessions,with the largest number SNPs at chromosome A10,and 13 SNPs significantly were associated with the WLR(-log₁₀(p-value)>6).Furthermore,4 putative candidate genes(BnaC09.RPS6,BnaC09.MATE,BnaA10.PPD5 and BnaC09.Histone)were screened involving in drought tolerance in B.napus.Together,our results highlight the WLR's importance in drought tolerance and establish the foundation for improving WLR-associated drought tolerance in rapeseed.     

Discriminating power of selected physical properties of seeds of various rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivars

In this study, the seeds of open-pollinated winter rapeseed cultivars, hybrid winter rapeseed cultivars, open-pollinated spring rapeseed cultivars and hybrid spring rapeseed cultivars were investigated. The physical, optical, mechanical, geometric and image texture properties of rapeseeds were compared. Statistical models were developed based on the analyzed parameters to discriminate between seed groups. Most parameters effectively discriminated between cultivars of winter and spring rapeseed, including true density, porosity, L*, a*, b*, and spectral values at 400 nm, 470 nm, 500–530 nm, 560–620 nm, 640–650 nm and 690 nm. Four homogeneous groups were identified based on linear dimensions: F (surface area), S (width) and shape factors W₆ (circularity ratio), Rb (Blair-Bliss coefficient) and W₁₃ (roundness). No statistically significant differences in the mean values of hardness or area under the force-displacement graph were observed between seed groups. The model developed based on image texture variables from channel Y (luminance) was characterized by the highest discrimination accuracy of 82–87%. The experimental groups were classified with 89–92% accuracy in the model combining the best variables from each group of physical parameters. Total classification accuracy in neural networks reached 75% for a validation set comprising geometric properties and 91–92% for a validation set containing physical characteristics.