Dynamic changes of nutrient content in herbaceous peony seed

Herbaceous peony is a promising oilseed crop. ‘Hangshao’ and ‘Fenghuang Niepan’ are two cultivars with high yield and oil content. In this study, seed reserved nutrient of these two genotypes were investigated during seed development process. Results showed that ‘Hangshao’ and ‘Fenghuang Niepan’ matured approximately 85 ​d after flowering (DAF). The development process could be divided into four stages: seed formation and enlargement stage (S1), seed inclusion and enrichment stage (S2), crude fat rapid accumulation stage (S3) and dehydration and color transition stage (S4). During this process, 100-seed fresh weight (HFW) and 100-seed dry weight (HDW) increased, whereas water content (WC) decreased. HFW, HDW and WC for ‘Hangshao’ seed at 85 DAF were 28.56 g, 20.78 ​g and 37.50% respectively, whereas those for ‘Fenghuang Niepan’ seed were 27.2 ​g, 19.78 ​g, and 30.85% respectively. In terms of the primary metabolites measuring, soluble protein content was consistently low (only 2.24%–3.15%), while starch content was relatively high (5.60%–24.81%). They displayed a trend of gradual increasing in early stage, followed by rapid decline. Crude fat tended to accumulate continuously with a linear upward trend starting at 40 DAF, and its maximum level was reached at 85 DAF (27.57% for ‘Hangshao’ and 29.57% for ‘Fenghuang Niepan’). For the secondary metabolites determination, total phenols content was relatively steady, maintaining at 107.7–129.9 ​mg/g for both cultivars, while total flavonoids content varied within 25.33–65.33 ​mg/g for ‘Hangshao’ and 24.33–52.37 ​mg/g for ‘Fenghuang Niepan’. The maximum level for both cultivars occurred at 55 DAF. Furthermore, crude fat content was found to be highly correlated with WC by correlation analysis and linear regression model definition (P ​≤ ​0.01 and r ​= ​0.954). Thus, WC was recommended for evaluating crude fat in peony seed. These findings could provide scientific reference for high-yielding production practice for oleaginous peony plant.     

Lipid analysis of three special nervonic acid resources in China

Nervonic acid plays an important role in nutrition and function of the human body. Malania oleifera, Acer truncatum and Xanthoceras sorbifolium are China’s unique woody plant rich in nervonic acid in seed oil. This study aims to investigate the lipid composition of these 3 special resources. Their fatty acids were detected by gas chromatography coupled with flame detector (GC-FID). Triglycerides (TAGs) and phospholipids (PLs) were detected by shotgun-mass spectrometry (shotgun-MS). Results showed that M. oleifera oil presented the highest level of nervonic acid (46.20 ​± ​0.22%) among the 3 oils. Seeds oil of A. truncatum and X. sorbifolium had 3.53 ​± ​0.20% and 1.83 ​± ​0.21% nervonic acid respectively. 53 species of TAGs and 15 species of PLs were identified in M. oleifera oil, with PLs content of 499.94 ​± ​22.34 ​μg/g. In A. truncatum oil, PL and TAG species were twice more than those in M. oleifera oil, and its’ content of PLs was 76.27 ​± ​3.21 ​μg/g. In X. sorbifolium oil, 75 TAGs and 34 ​PLs were detected, with the lowest PLs at 23.84 ​± ​0.17 ​μg/g. The results demonstrated that these 3 vegetable oils have great potential to become nervonic acid supplements for human health.     

Extraction of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum deciduous leaves essential oil using solvent-free microwave extraction: Process optimization and quality evaluation

The optimal process conditions for solvent-free microwave extraction(SFME) of essential oils from Cinnamomum longepaniculatum deciduous leaves after moisture conditioning were established by response surface methodology(RSM). A Box-Behnken design(BBD) was applied to evaluate the effects of three independent variables: moisture content(A: 54%–74%), microwave power(B: 300–500 W) and microwave time(C: 20–40 min), on the extraction yield of essential oil. The compounds of the essential oils obtained...     

Profiling the effects of microwave-assisted and soxhlet extraction techniques on the physicochemical attributes of Moringa oleifera seed oil and proteins

There is a constant search for biomaterials from natural products like plants for food and industrial applications.The work embodied in this report aimed at investigating the effects of microwave-assisted and soxhlet extraction(MAE and SE) techniques on the functional physicochemical quality characteristics of Moringa oleifera seed oil and proteins extracts. M. oleifera seeds were ground to fine powders and oil was extracted by microwave-assisted and soxhlet extraction techniques using petroleum...     

不同产地的紫苏籽油活性成分检测与主成分分析

为评价油品质与营养功能,有效开发不同产地的紫苏籽油,收集19个产地的紫苏籽,分析了油的理化性质,脂肪酸、维生素E、植物甾醇等活性成分的组成及含量。结果发现：紫苏籽油主要含有棕榈酸、硬脂酸、油酸、亚油酸、亚麻酸五种脂肪酸,亚麻酸含量58.8%～70.9%,不饱和脂肪酸含量91.1%～93.8%;紫苏籽油含有△-5燕麦甾醇、菜籽甾醇、β-谷甾醇及环阿廷醇,总甾醇含量67.0mg/100g～94.4mg/100g;紫苏籽油含有α-生育酚、β-生育酚、γ-生育酚,γ-生育酚占总生育酚含量95%左右,总的生育酚含量为63.4mg/100g～99.4mg/100g。通过主成分分析及主成分中各性状载荷分析发现,α-亚麻酸、γ-生育酚、菜籽甾醇是紫苏籽油的特征活性成分,对不同产地的紫苏籽油差异影响较大。对紫苏籽油的12个脂溶性活性成分进行分层聚类热图分析,可将19个产地的紫苏籽油分成6大类。      

Effect of microwave pre-treatment on physical quality,bioactive compounds,safety risk factor,and storage stability of peanut butter

Microwave, as a new heat treatment technology, has the characteristics of uniform and fast heating speed. It is an energy-saving technology known for improving oilseed product quality. Its efficiency mainly depends on the roasting power and time. However, the production of high-quality peanut butter using short-time roasting conditions are limited. Herein, we determined an appropriate microwave roasting power and time for peanuts and evaluated its impacts on the quality of peanut butter. Different roasting powers (400 ​W, 800 ​W and 1200 ​W) and times (4, 4.5, 5, and 5.5 ​min) were preliminarily tested. Among them, 800 ​W at 5 ​min was the most suitable. The roasting efficiency was further evaluated using color, sensory, bioactive compounds, storage stability, and safety risk factors of peanut butter produced from four peanut cultivars (Silihong, Baisha-1016, Yuanza-9102, and Yuhua-9414). The pre-treated butter obtained from three cultivars (Silihong, Yuanza-9102, and Yuhua-9414) with moisture content between 5% and 7.2% had a similar sensory score (6–7) as the commercial on a 9-point hedonic scale compare to the other. The color of the pre-treated peanut butter varies statistically with the commercial but remained in the recommended range of Hunter L1 values of 51–52, respectively, for high initial moisture peanut cultivars. The total polyphenol (35.20-31.59 ​± ​0.59 ​μmol GAE/g) and tocopherol (19.05 ​± ​0.35 ​mg/100 ​g) content in the butter obtained from three cultivars (Yuahua-9102, Yuhua, and Baisha-1016) and Silihong respectively, were significantly (P ​< ​0.05) higher than those in the commercial butter. The induction times of all pre-treated butter (19.80 ​± ​0.99–7.84 ​± ​0.07 ​h) were significantly (P ​< ​0.05) longer during storage at accelerated temperature than commercial samples. In addition, no benzo[a]pyrene was found in the pre-treated samples. Collectively, the microwave pretreated peanut butter was superior to the commercial one. These findings provided data support and a reference basis to promote microwave use for peanut butter production.     

Effects of rainfall,temperature and illumination on outcrossing rate of male sterile line in soybean

To improve seed yield of male sterile line, the relationship between outcrossing rate and climate factors was explored. Data of blooming period, outcrossing rate of male sterile line and climate during 2006–2016 growing seasons were investigated and analyzed. The shortest blooming period was 18.8 ​d with mean temperature of 24^oC–25 ​°C and 18.5 ​d with about 125 ​h natural illumination. More rainfall caused a longer blooming period, and a high outcrossing rate was found with about 100 ​mm rainfall and the mean temperature of 24^oC–25 ​°C. Increased natural illumination time by tapetum lucidum mulching improved outcrossing rate by 42.48% compared tocontrol. Overall, the selective combination of climate and environmental factors could be effective for increasing outcrossing rate and hybrid seed yield in the male sterile line of soybean.     

Chemical composition of walnuts from three regions in China

To reveal the characteristic chemicals of walnuts from different origins, we analyzed fatty acid composition,tocopherols, phytosterols and total phenolic content(TPC) of walnuts from three main producing regions in China. The results showed that walnuts were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 fatty acids was close to the recommendation of Chinese Nutrition Society. Moreover, walnuts contain high contents of tocopherols(331.20–414.71 mg/kg), phytosterols(97.17–110.35...     

Breeding dominant genic male sterility restorer line of Brassica napus L.

To facilate breeding process of Brassica napus, a microspore culture and molecular marker-assisted screening combined system were proposed in this research. At early flowering stage, F₁ offspring of hybridized combination HY15A ​× ​HF06 was used as donor for microspore culture to analyze effects of colchicine concentration on embryogenic and diploid rates of microspore. Treatment with 50 ​mg/L colchicine resulted in embryogenic rate of 3.56 embryos/bud, which was substantially higher than control (0.78 embryos/bud). A total of 1,387 embryos and 862 single plants were obtained after induction culture. Ploidy detection was performed for the regenerated plants by flow cytometry. Diploid rates of microspores treated with 50 ​mg/L and 70 ​mg/L colchicine were 17.2% and 21.0% respectively, which was significantly higher than control (10.5%). Totally 108 single plants that doubled successfully were randomly selected and screened using molecular marker BE10. Approximately 54 of 108 plants generated a 305 bp amplification product, whereas the other 54 plants showed a 398 bp band, thereby satisfying 1:1 separation ratio (x²_0.05 ​= ​0.0093). These coincided with field identification results. Findings of this study indicated that homozygous breeding material could be obtained by microspore culture in a short time, thereby remarkably accelerate breeding.     

Proximate composition, extraction, characterization and comparative assessment of coconut (Cocos nucifera) and melon (Colocynthis citrullus) seeds and seed oils

Proximate composition, extraction, characterization and comparative assessment of Cocos nucifera and Colocynthis citrullus seeds and seed oils were evaluated in this work using standard analytical techniques. The results showed the percentage (%) moisture, crude fibre, ash, crude protein, lipids and total carbohydrate contents of the seeds as 7.51 and 4.27, 7.70 and 5.51, 1.02 and 2.94, 10.57 and 11.67, 47.80 and 50.42 and 32.84 and 29.47 while the calorific values were 553.99 and 567.32 Kcal/100 g for C. nucifera and C. citrullus, respectively. The two seed oils were odourless and at room temperature (30 degrees C) liquids, with a pale yellow to yellowish colouration. Lipid indices of the seed oils indicated the Acid Values (AV) as 2.06-6.36 mg NaOH g(-1) and 2.99-6.17 mg NaOH g(-1), Free Fatty Acids (FFA) as 1.03-3.18 and 1.49-3.09%, Saponification Values (SV) as 252.44-257.59 and 196.82-201.03 mg KOH g(-1), Iodine Values (IV) as 9.73-10.99 and 110.93-111.46 mg of I2 g(-1) of oil and Peroxide Values (PV) as 0.21-0.21 and 1.53-2.72 mg O2 kg(-1) for soxhlet-mechanical extracted C. nucifera and C. citrullus seed oils, respectively. The studied characteristics of the oil extracts in most cases compared favourably with most conventional vegetable oils sold in the Nigeria markets; however, there were some observed levels of significant differences in the values at p < or = 0.05. These results suggest that the seeds examined may be nutritionally potent and also viable sources of seed oils judging by their oil yield. The data also showed that the seed oils were edible inferring from their low AV and their corresponding low FFA contents. Industrially, the results revealed the seed oils to have great potentials in soap manufacturing industries because of their high SV. They were also shown to be non-drying due to their low IV which also suggested that the oils contain few unsaturated bonds and therefore have low susceptibility to oxidative rancidity and deterioration as confirmed by their low PV which also serves as indicators of the presence or high levels of anti-oxidants in the oils.     

Perspective on oil flax yield and dry biomass with reduced nitrogen supply

Field experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design to determine effects of nitrogen (N) application levels (J0: 150 ​kg/hm², J1: 120 ​kg/hm², J2: 90 ​kg/hm², J3: 60 ​kg/hm²) on regulating dry biomass accumulation, allocation and translocation, and grain yield of oil flax during 2018 cropping season. Significant promotion was observed in dry matter during accumulation stage of oil flax, when N rate was reduced by 40% (from 150 to 90 ​kg/hm²). Under J2 treatment, translocation of dry matter from vegetative organs to pod increased by 38.46% and 61.54% respectively, when compared with J1 and J0 treatment. Dry matter distribution proportion of pod at maturity increased 4.47%–7.61%, contribution rate of leaf to grain upgraded 5.09%–8.77%, and number of effective pods and grains per pod increased by 27.16%–45.38% and 6.49%–26.59% respectively compared to other treatments. As a result, seed yield of oil flax under J2 treatment was 2.23%–18.21% higher than those of other treatments. Our study recommended 90 ​kg/hm² as the best N fertilizer level to improve seed yield of oil flax.     

Nutritional evaluation,fatty acid analysis and anticancer properties investigation of seeds from kan-zaw,a potential diet oil and medicinal plant

Payenapara lleloneura Kurz. (Kan-zaw), an endemic medicinal plant only found in Tanintharyi Region of Myanmar, is widely used in the treatment of various cancer and different ailments. In the present research, the seeds were phytochemical investigated for their nutritional potential for their use as functional foods or novel diet oil resources. Nutritional evaluation showed that the seeds are rich in fats and carbohydrates (soluble sugars and starch). Fatty acid analyses showed that the seeds accumulate very rich α-eleostearic acid (α-ESA, 18:3^{Δ9cis,11trans,13trans}), an important conjugated fatty acid, up to more than 70 ​% of total fatty acids. The seed oil derived from the Kan-zaw tree contains approximately 3.25 ​% β-eleostearic acid (18:3^{Δ9trans,11trans,13trans}), an unusual conjugated fatty acid that imparts a potent anticancer application and industrially important drying qualities to Kan-zaw oil. Physicochemical properties of the Kan-zaw seeds were examined; petroleum ether (60–90 ​°C) extract of seed oils were also investigated for the saponification value, iodine value and estimation of acid value. Further, the present study investigated cytotoxic potential of ethanol, methanol, acetone, chloroform Kan-zaw seed extracts and commercial Kan-zaw oil against human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). The Kan-zaw extracts and oil have shown significant anticancer activity on HeLa cells.     

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus application on soil nitrogen morphological characteristics and grain yield of oil flax

In order to identify effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on soil nitrogen morphological characteristics and grain yield of oil flax, a two-factor experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design in typical semi-arid and hilly-gully area of Loess Plateau with 3 replicates in 2013 and 2014. Two levels of N application included 150 ​kg/hm² (N₂) and 75 ​kg/hm² (N₁). P application included 150 ​kg P₂O₅/hm² (P₂) and 75 ​kg P₂O₅/hm² (P₁). Temporal and spatial variation of soil nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) and ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) contents in 0–60 ​cm soil layer, and relationship between soil NO₃⁻-N accumulation (SNA) and grain yield of oil flax were analyzed. Results showed that SNA increased with evaluated N application rate in different soil layers (0–20 ​cm, 20–40 ​cm and 40–60 ​cm). With the increased P application, SNA increased at N₁ level but decreased at N₂ level. SNA under N₂P₁ treatment increased by 73.33% in 2013 and 74.97% in 2014 respectively, compared with control treatment (CK) at maturity stage. Grain yield of oil flax also increased by 44.27% in 2013 and 56.55% in 2014, compared with CK under the same treatment. Correlation analysis showed that SNA in different soil layers were respectively positively correlated with grain yield. In conclusion, this research suggested that the optimal fertilizer application rate was 150 ​kg ​N/hm² and 75 ​kg P₂O₅/hm² in the Northwest of China.     

Genetic segregation analysis of unsaturated fatty acids content in the filial generations of high-linolenic-acid rapeseed (Brassica napus)

Alpha linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acids that can improve human health. Rapeseed is the second largest oil crop in the world but the ALA content in its seed fatty acids is only about 10%. Two rapeseed germplasms YH25005 and R8Q10 with high content (up to 21%) ALA were developed by intervarietal crossing. They were used as the maternal parent (P₁) when crossed with a low ALA parent SW (P₂) to produce the seeds of the F₁ hybrid, F₂, and backcrosses to P₁ (BCP₁) and P₂ (BCP₂). A multigeneration joint segregation analysis was conducted to determine major gene ​+ ​polygene effects of the content of three major unsaturated fatty acids including oleic (OA), linoleic (LA) and ALA. The results showed that, although some genes favorable to ALA accumulation were not allelic in R8Q10 and YH25005, all the inheritances of OA, LA and ALA in YH25005 ​× ​SW and R8Q10 ​× ​SW followed a genetic model of ‘two pairs of additive major genes ​+ ​additive-dominant polygenes’. It is suggested that the contents of OA, LA and ALA are closely related and the major genes in the parent SW containing loss-of-function mutations in FAD2 and FAD3 loci had strong effect to reduce ALA and elevate OA. However, total genetic effect of the polygenes was greater than that of the two major genes, especial on ALA content. It indicated that it is necessary to employ a larger F₂ population to find the plant that accumulate enough minor-effect polygenes for high ALA content. The results are useful for high ALA rapeseed breeding and future work of gene mapping.     

Quality characteristics of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. oil

The oil content and quality characteristics of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. oil are described. The oils were extracted from the mesocarp and endocarp using hexane to remove the free flowing lipid (FFL) and successive extraction with CHCl₃-MeOH followed by water saturated butanol to remove bound lipid (BL). On a dry matter basis, the mesocarp contained 68.3% FFL and 13.7% BL while the endocarp contained 67.0% FFL and 13.0% BL. The quality characteristics of the mesocarp oil extracts were 151.9–195.3 mg KOH/g fat saponification value (SV), 20–40 mEq peroxide/kg fat peroxide value (PV), 71.1–94.9 g iodine/100 g fat iodine value (IV) and 1.33–8.30 mg KOH acid value (AV). Characteristics for the endocarp oil extracts were 95.4–184.3 mg KOH/g fat SV, 4.0–8.0 mEq peroxide/kg fat PV, 100.1–118.3 g iodine/100 g fat IV, and AV of 0.48–8.70 mg KOH. The fatty acid composition of the first hexane extracts indicated that the oils were primarily C16 and C18s. The mesocarp contained 31.7% hexadecanoic acid, 30.0% 9-octadecenoic acid, 30.1% 6,9-octadecadienoic acid and 8.2% 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, while the endocarp, contained 31.2% hexadecanoic acid, 28.9% 9-octadecenoic acid and 31.3% 6,9-octadecadienoic acid.     

Chemical composition and profile characteristics of Osage orange Maclura pomifera (Rafin.) Schneider seed and seed oil

Studies were conducted on the properties of seeds and oil extracted from Maclura pomifera seeds. The following values (on a dry-weight basis) were obtained for M. pomifera seed, respectively: moisture 5.88%, ash 6.72%, oil 32.75% and the high protein content 33.89%. The carbohydrate content (20.76%) can be regarded as a source of energy for animals if included in their diets. The major nutrients (mg/100 g oil) were: potassium (421.65), calcium (218.56) and magnesium (185.00). The physicochemical properties of the oil include: the saponification number 174.57; the iodine value 141.43; the p-anisidine value 1.86; the peroxide value 2.33 meq O₂/kg; the acid value 0.66; the carotenoid content 0.59 mg/100 g oil; the chlorophyll content 0.02 (mg/100 g oil) and the refractive index 1.45. Polymorphic changes were observed in thermal properties of M. pomifera seed oil. This showed absorbency in the UV-B and UV-C ranges with a potential for use as a broad spectrum UV protectant. The main fatty acids of the crude oil were linoleic (76.19%), oleic (13.87%), stearic (6.76%) and palmitic acid (2.40%). The polyunsaturated triacylglycerols (TAGs) LLL, PLL, POL + SLL, OLL, OOL (L: linoleic acid, O: oleic, P: palmitic acid and S: stearic acid) acids were the major TAGs found in M. pomifera seed oil. A relatively high level of sterols making up 852.93 mg/100 g seed oil was present. The sterol marker, β-sitosterol, accounted for 81% of the total sterol content in the seed oil and is followed by campesterol (7.4%), stigmasterol (4.2%), lupeol (4.1%) and Δ⁵-avenesterol (3.2%). The seed oil was rich in tocopherols with the following composition (mg/100 g): α-tocopherol 18.92; γ-tocopherol 10.80; β-tocopherol 6.02 and δ-tocopherol 6.29. The results showed that M. pomifera seed oil could be used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food products.     

Absolute quantitative detection of genetically modified soybean MON87708×MON89788 with stacked traits by digital polymerase chain reaction

The main advantage of digital PCR (dPCR) is that it facilitates absolute quantification of the target without reference to the standard/calibration curve. Crystal droplet dPCR has a three-color staining detection function, which enables multiplex PCR reaction. In this study, this technique was used to establish triple dPCR detection for the genetically modified soybean MON87708 ​× ​MON89788 with stacked traits. Specific absolute quantitative detection was accomplished for the genomic DNA extracted from the homogenized seeds of GM stack MON87708 ​× ​MON89788 soybean. Our results can serve as a reference for the absolute quantitative detection of stacked events of genetically modified crops.     

Evaluation of yield,stability and adaptability of national winter rapeseed regional trials in the upper Yangtze River region in 2017-2018

Rapeseed variety needs to be tested by regional trial in multiple sites for many years before being applied in market in China. Performants of rapeseed were affected by the interaction of sites and varieties. Evaluation of regional trials is very important for guiding rapeseed breeding. GGE (genotype main effects and genotype ​× ​environment interaction) biplot was used to evaluate yield, stability, adaptability, representativeness and discrimination of national winter rapeseed trials in the upper reaches of Yangtze River in 2017-2018. Results showed that the main effects of genotype (G), environment (E) and genotype ​× ​environment interaction (G × E) were significant (P ​< ​0.01) for yield. Among them, E accounted for 46.95% total variation on average, G and G × E accounted for 19.34% and 33.71% respectively. Eight varieties were found with high-yield, excellent stability and adaptability, including ‘Yiyou 29’, ‘Xiwang 920’, ‘Liyouza 108’, ‘Nanyou 546’, ‘Dadi 195’, ‘Jiayou 1’, ‘Huayouza 28’ and ‘Yuhua 2’. Test sites included Nanchong, Mianyang, Wanzhou, Shuangliu and Chengdu in Sichuan Province and Zunyi together with Guiyang in Guizhou Province were selected for their excellent representativeness and discrimination. These results would provide theoretical basis for rapeseed breeding.     

Identification and evaluation of high nitrogen nutrition efficiency in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) germplasm

To establish identification and evaluation methods of N (nitrogen) absorption and utilization of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), difference of N nutrition efficiency (NNE) among rapeseed germplasms and relationship between NNE and plant traits under various N application rates were analyzed in this research. Pot cultivating experiments were conducted to investigate NNE with 3 ​N application rates in soil (0.05, 0.2 and 0.3 ​g/kg). A total of 12 rapeseed germplasms were planted, nitrogen absorption efficiency (NAE) and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) in seedling stage, bolting stage, initial flowering stage, final flowering stage, and maturity stage were obtained. Results showed that bolting stage was the best period for NAE identification and evaluation. Low N application rate in soil (0.05 ​g/kg) was the best for NAE, and the indirect indexes were basal stem diameter, plant root dry weight and above ground plant dry weight. Maturity stage was the best period for NUE identification and evaluation. High N application rate in soil (0.3 ​g/kg) was the best for NUE, and indirect indexes were above ground plant dry weight and basal stem diameter. N application rates of 0.05 ​g/kg in soil was the best for nitrogen harvest index at maturity stage, and indirect indexes was number of pods per plant. Plant traits of rapeseed germplasms affected NNE. Higher basal stem diameter, plant root dry weight and above ground plant dry weight at bolting stage under low N application rate were important characteristics of N absorption in rapeseed. Higher above ground plant dry weight and basal stem diameter at maturity stage under high N application rate were important characteristics of N utilization. Higher number of pods per plant at maturity stage under lowe N application rate was an important characteristic of N harvest index. These results provided a reliable index for N management and provided theoretical basis for guiding rapeseed breeding.