Marker‐assisted backcrossing of a null allele of the α‐subunit of Soybean (Glycine max) β‐conglycinin with a Chinese soybean cultivar (a). The development of improved lines

The development of soybean varieties that lack the β‐conglycinin α‐subunit is an attractive goal because the β‐conglycinin α‐subunit negatively influences the nutrition and gelation of tofu and is a major allergen. To remove this undesirable allergen and simultaneously improve the seed nutritional value and food‐processing quality, marker‐assisted background selection (MABS) was used in backcross breeding to incorporate cgy‐2, a null phenotype version of the gene encoding the β‐conglycinin α‐subunit, from the donor line ‘RiB’ into the genetic background of the Chinese cultivar ‘Dongnong47’ (DN47), a popular high‐oil superfine seed soybean cultivar from Heilongjiang Province, China. In each F₂ (F₂, BC_nF₂) generation of the breeding programme, the offspring that carried the introgressed cgy‐2 were identified by sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and rescreened by MABS using simple sequence repeat markers to accelerate recurrent parent genome recovery. Of the 49 advanced backcrossing breeding lines (ABLs), the three best lines, ABL1, ABL2 and ABL3, were selected from the BC₁, BC₂ and BC₃ populations, respectively. The ABLs were evaluated for desirable agronomic characteristics, yield‐related traits, amino acid composition, free amino acid composition and tofu‐processing quality in the mature seeds. All of the ABLs lacked the α‐subunit but grew and reproduced normally without deleterious effects on physiological processes such as seed development and germination. The free amino acid content of ABL1 was significantly higher than that of ‘DN47’, with arginine (Arg) being particularly enriched. Compared to the recurrent parent ‘DN47’, the total protein content of the three ABLs was higher, the amino acid composition of the seed proteins was markedly modified and the yield and hardness of the tofu that was made from the ABLs were significantly increased. MABS combined with stringent phenotypic selection in a backcross breeding programme is a feasible strategy for the genetic engineering of seed protein components to produce allergenic subunit‐deficient variant alleles.     

Genetic parameters relating isoflavone and protein content in soybean seeds

Isoflavones are a class of compounds present in high amounts in soybean seeds, which can be used for prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases. Proteins present in soybean seeds are the basis for the high nutritional value and versatility of this leguminous species in animal and human feeding. The main goals of this work were to estimate heritabilities for isoflavone contents in soybean seeds and the correlation between isoflavone and protein contents. Commercial variety IAC-100 (high isoflavone and normal protein contents) and the line BARC-8 (low isoflavone and high protein contents) were crossed, and one single F₁ plant derived 97 F₂ seeds, which were used to obtain F₃ seeds. A sample of F₃ seeds from each F₂ plant was used for isoflavone determination by HPLC and protein by the Kjeldahl method. Six isoflavone forms were detected: daidzin, genistin, glycitin, malonyldaidzin, malonylgenistin and malonylglycitin. Total isoflavone contents ranged from 427.92 to 965.89 μg per gram of dry seed and the protein content ranged from 45.17 to 34.95% in BARC-8 and IAC-100, respectively. Our results indicate that it is possible to select for high isoflavone content in early breeding generations because the broad sense heritabilities for the contents of the various isoflavone forms were higher than 90%. In addition, high correlation values among the contents of the individual isoflavone forms were observed (between 0.80 and 0.98). However, negative correlation values were obtained between isoflavone and protein contents, ranging from −0.51 to −0.37 for the different isoflavone forms. The correlation value of −0.47 between total isoflavone and protein contents confirmed the negative correlation between these two parameters, as reported by other authors. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A comparison of traditional and haploid-derived breeding populations of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) for fatty acid composition of the seed oil

Summary Microspore embryogenesis technology allows plant breeders to efficiently generate homozygous micros-pore-derived breeding populations of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) without traditional generations of inbreeding. This study was conducted to compare the frequency distribution of microspore-derived population and single seed descent populations with respect to fatty acids of seed oil. Both microspore-derived populations and single seed descent populations were produced from each of three crosses made between selected parents containing contrasting amount of erucic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. The fatty acid content of F₃ plants derived lines (F₅ seed) developed by single seed descent was compared to that of microspore-derived populations. The means, ranges and distribution pattern of seed fatty acid contents were similar in both populations for each fatty acid studied, although a few heterozygous lines were observed in the single seed descent populations. The results indicated that microspore-derived population form random, homozygous F₁ plant derived gametic arrays for all fatty acids evaluated. Selection for altered fatty acid composition in microspore-derived and single seed descent homozygous populations should be equally efficient, in the absence of linkage of traits investigated.     

Identification and validation of an over‐dominant QTL controlling soybean seed weight using populations derived from Glycine max × Glycine soja

Heterosis, or hybrid vigour, has been used to improve seed yield in several important crops for decades and it has potential applications in soybean. The discovery of over‐dominant quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying yield‐related traits, such as seed weight, will facilitate hybrid soybean breeding via marker‐assisted selection. In this study, F₂ and F_2 : 3 populations derived from the crosses of ‘Jidou 12’ (Glycine max) × ‘ZYD2738’ (Glycine soja) and ‘Jidou 9’ (G. max) × ‘ZYD2738’ were used to identify over‐dominant QTL associated with seed weight. A total of seven QTL were identified. Among them, qSWT_13_1, mapped on chromosome 13 and linked with Satt114, showed an over‐dominant effect in two populations for two successive generations. This over‐dominant effect was further examined by six subpopulations derived from ‘Jidou12’ × ‘ZYD2738’. The seed weight for heterozygous individuals was 1.1‐ to 1.6‐fold higher than that of homozygous individuals among the six validation populations examined in different locations and years. Therefore, qSWT_13_1 may be a useful locus to improve the yield of hybrid soybean and to understand the molecular mechanism of heterosis in soybean.     

Comparison of heritabilities derived from single F2 seed populations and bulk seed from F2 plant populations for oleic,linoleic and linolenic acids in oilseed rape

Summary The heritabilities for oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) were determined using single F₂ seeds on F₁ plants and bulk seed samples of F₂ plants. The heritabilities by the use of single F₂ seeds were found to increase, remain constant, or decrease relative to those obtained from F₂ plant populations, depending on the fatty acid and the cross. However, the change in heritabilities was not great in most cases. Therefore the half-seed technique could be used for early generation selection for these fatty acids.     

Molecular loci associated with seed isoflavone content may underlie resistance to soybean pod borer (Leguminivora glycinivorella)

Soybean pod borer (SPB) (Leguminivora glycinivorella (Mats.) Obraztsov) causes severe loss of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) seed yield and quality in some regions of the world, especially in north‐eastern China, Japan and Russia. Isoflavones in soybean seed play a crucial role in plant resistance to diseases and pests. The aim of this study was to find whether SPB resistance QTL are associated with soybean seed isoflavone content. A cross was made between ‘Zhongdou 27’ (higher isoflavone content) and ‘Jiunong 20’ (lower isoflavone content). One hundred and twelve F_5:10 recombinant inbred lines were derived through single‐seed descent. A plastic‐net cabinet was used to cover the plants in early August, and thirty SPB moths per square metre were put in to infest the soybean green pods. The results indicated that the percentage of seeds damaged by SPB was positively correlated with glycitein content (GC), whereas it was negatively correlated with genistein (GT), daidzein (DZ) and total isoflavone content (TI). Four QTL underlying SPB damage to seeds were identified and the phenotypic variation for SPB resistance explained by the four QTL ranged from 2% to 14% on chromosomes Gm7, 10, 13 and 17. Moreover, eleven QTL underlying isoflavone content were identified, and ten of them were encompassed within the same four marker intervals as the SPB QTL (BARC‐Satt208‐Sat292, Satt144‐Sat074, Satt540‐Sat244 and Satt345‐Satt592). These QTL could be useful in marker‐assisted selection for breeding soybean cultivars with both SPB resistance and high seed isoflavone content.     

Selection for Increased Seed Nitrogen Accumulation in Common Bean: Implications for Improving Dinitrogen Fixation and Seed Yield

Estimates of N₂ fixation in segregating populations of bean plants based on ¹⁵N-isotope methods are technically demanding and expensive; therefore, indirect measures based on related traits including total seed N were used to select for improved N₂ fixation and yield. In 1985, six populations of F₂-derived F₃ families resulting from six parental lines crossed to a common tester were grown in field trials on a low-N soil. In 1986, 25 selected half-sib families and two populations of full-sib F₄ families were grown under similar conditions. Parents and a non-nodulating soybean line were included both years. Narrow sense (H_NS) heritability estimates based on parent-offspring regressions ranged from 0.57 for total seed N to 0.39 for shoot biomass in one population, but were near zero for all measured traits in a second population. Among the criteria used to identify parental lines with superior potential for producing progenies with high total seed N, testcross population means combined with estimates of realized heritability were the most reliable. Selection of the best F₃ families for total seed N resulted in F₄ families with increased total seed N and higher seed yields, while seed protein percentage was unchanged. When plants are grown on low-N soils, selection for total seed N offers a useful alternative to selection for increased N₂ fixation based on ¹⁵N-isotopic or total-N-difference method.     

Selection for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora</Emphasis> field resistance in the F<Subscript>2</Subscript> generation of organic outdoor tomatoes

Tomatoes are the most important vegetable, globally as well as in Germany. Outdoor tomato production is seriously impaired due to increasing infections with evolving late blight (Phytophthora infestans) populations. Within organic agriculture, research is being conducted to develop regionally adapted and open pollinated cultivars of outdoor tomatoes with late blight field resistance. In the present experiment, three crosses, including wild, cocktail, and beefsteak tomatoes, were selected for field resistance against late blight in F₂ at one location per cross. The comparison of positive and negative selection in F₃ revealed the selection of single F₂ plants to be efficient in all three crosses. F₂ selection has proved to be a robust and efficient tool for breeding programs. The correlated response to selection in other traits, including yield, fruit weight, days to maturity, harvest period, and plant height, depended on the cross. It was evident that selection for desired traits combined with field resistance against late blight is promising, even in wide crosses. The most undesired attribute of wild tomatoes is the formation of shoots on leaves and in inflorescences. No correlation was observed between field resistance and shoot formation, allowing the selection of genotypes with improved field resistance and yield, but without morphological disadvantages.     

Comparison of pedigree selection and single seed descent for oil yield in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Summary Four populations of linseed derived from five parents were advanced from the F₂ to the F₆ generation by SSD and to the F₅ by pedigree selection. These populations were used to compare the efficiency of the two methods in order to provide superior genotypes with respect to grain yield and oil content, i.e. oil yield. The results showed minimum differences between pedigree and SSD lines for grain yield, where in only one cross the SSD lines were significantly superior to the pedigree lines. Since pedigree selection was carried out for both, seed yield and oil content, a positive response to selection was expected. However, early selection for yield, a character with low heritability, was not successful. On the contrary, significant differences for oil content were detected between the two groups of lines in three of the four crosses studied. In these cases the pedigree lines were superior to the SSD lines. These results demonstrate that strict selection in early generations for oil content, a character with comparatively high heritability, is feasible and successful in linseed. However, selection for seed yield should be postponed to later inbred generations. Consequently, in breeding for maximum oil yield of linseed a two-step selection procedure is recommended.Abbreviations PS pedigree selection - SSD single seed descent - TGW thousand grain weight     

Micropropagation of intra and interspecific Lens hybrids

An intraspecific (Tetir × ILL 323) and an interspecific (Alpo × L. odemensis) lentil hybrid were multiplied in vitro in three consecutive micropropagation cycles to increase the production of F₂ seeds. Cloning efficiencies were slightly higher for Tetir × ILL323 (83%) compared to Alpo × L. odemensis (67%). A total of 982 F₂ seeds were produced in the experiment with Alpo × L. odemensis, consisting of the 334 F₂ seeds of the original hybrid and 648 F₂ seeds produced by the 12 plants cloned; consequently, F₂ seed production was increased three-fold over the original hybrid (194%). A total of 6050 F₂ seeds were produced in the experiment with Tetir × ILL 323, made up of the 483 F₂ seeds of the original hybrid and 5567 F₂ seeds produced by the 15 plants cloned; therefore, F₂ seed production was increased by more than twelve-fold over the original hybrid (1153%). In both hybrids the F₂ seed production of cloned plants diminished in the three consecutive multiplication cycles, with the plants having experienced less vegetative development. In lentil, F₂ seed production of cloned plants is related for the first time to the length of their period of vegetative development. In conclusion, micropropagation of hybrids is an interesting tool to construct from a single individual large F₁ populations that enable to increase by a manifold the production of F₂ seeds useful for genetic studies and breeding.     

Genetics of Seed Yield and its Components in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) of Middle-American Origin

Genetic variance, heritability, and expected response from selection arc useful in devising alternative methods and criteria of: selection. The objectives of this study were to estimate these for seed yield and its components from 200 F₂: populations involving 80 cultivars and lines of mostly small-seeded dry bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) of habits growth I, II, and III of Middle-American origin. All cultivars and lines were crossed in eight sets of ten parents each in a Design II mating system. The F₂ populations, without parents, were evaluated in the field in a replicates-in-sets design at two locations in Colombia in 1983. Estimates of additive genetic variance were significant for yield, pods/m², seeds/pod, and seed weight. Interaction with environments was also significant. Values for nonadditive genetic variance were not significant for either yield or yield components. The estimates of narrow sense heritability, based on the F₂ population mean and unbiased by genotype x environment interaction, were 0.21 ± 0.13 for yield. 20 ± 0.13 for pods/m², 0.57 ± 0.13 for seeds/pod, and 0.74 ± 0.15 for seed weight. The expected direct response from selection of the top 20 % of F₂ populations for yield per se would result in a 4.30 % increase in yield with a correlated response of 0.21 % in seed weight. In contrast, the expected gain from direct selection for seed weight would result in a 11.76 % increase in seed weight with a, correlated gain of 0.28 % for yield. Direct selection for pods/m² would decrease yield, seeds/pod and seed weight, while direct selection for seeds/pod would reduce pods/m² and seed weight but increase seed yield by 0.37 %. Data on yield from replicated trials in the early segregating generations could be utilized for identification and selection of promising crosses and families or lines with crosses for dry bean yield improvement.     

Single plant selection for yield in lentil

Summary Individual plant selection for yield in lentil is problematic at a commercial crop density primarily because of inter-plant entanglement by tendrils. Visual plant selection for yield was compared with random selection in the F₅ at three plant densities (66, 133 and 200 seeds/m²) by an evaluation of F₇ progeny yields over two seasons in two populations of lentil. Random plant sampling was as effective as visual plant selection in isolating high-yielding F₇ lines. The plant density of the selection environment did not affect the response to selection. The correlations between the seed number of selected F₅ plants and the mean yield of their F₇ progenies were r=+–0.26 and –0.06 in two populations, indicating the lack of positive response to plant selection for seed number. The results show that 1) random sampling is the most economic of the methods tested of plant selection for yield and 2) the plant density of the environment for plant selection can be low enough to avoid inter-plant entanglement by tendrils, allowing a focus in plant selection on characters, other than yield, of importance to the breeding program and with a higher heritability than yield.     

Inheritance of Seed Dormancy in Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum)

The genetics of chill-related seed dormancy, exhibited by a lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) genotype native to North America, was investigated. Less than 1 % of the seeds germinated by direct hydration at 20°C, while full germination (98%) was attained by chilling imbibed seeds, for at least 11 days, at 3°C, before transferring them to 20°C. The inheritance of seed dormancy was analyzed in F₁, BC₁, and F₂, populations, derived from mating between a normal non-chill-requiring genotype (P₁) and the above chill-requiring genotype (P₂). F₁ seeds, of both reciprocals, and BC₁ (P₁) seeds were all non-dormant. The proportion of seed dormancy in F₂ and BC, (P₂) was 0.06 and 0.68, respectively. The inheritance model proposed includes six diallelic loci with cumulative effects, in which the presence of at least nine ‘dormancy-conferring’ alleles is necessary for inducing phenotypic seed dormancy. Possible implications of inherent seed dormancy on the utilization of native lisianthus germplasm for breeding are discussed.     

Mapping powdery mildew resistance gene in V97‐3000 soybean

V97‐3000 is a maturity group (MG) V soybean breeding line derived from SS 516 × V90‐2592 (Vance × V81‐1325) with high stachyose, small seed and powdery mildew resistance. A total of 53 F_2:3 families were derived from a cross between V97‐3000 and a powdery mildew susceptible line V99‐5089. The 53 F_2:3 families, each with 30 plants, were grown in the greenhouse for powdery mildew evaluation, and the corresponding 53 F₂ plants were genotyped using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Results showed that the 53 F_2:3 families segregated in ratio of one resistant : two segregating : one susceptible (13 : 26 : 14) and the 26 segregating F_2:3 families each exhibited a good fit to three resistant : one susceptible, indicating that resistance to powdery mildew is conditioned by a single dominant gene. The gene for powdery mildew resistance in V97‐3000 was mapped on chromosome 16 [linkage group (LG) J] flanked by Satt547 and Sat_396 on one side and Sat_393 on the other side with 3.8 cM and 3.9 cM distance, respectively. This study provides a new source of powdery mildew resistance and information of genetic location of the resistance gene and linked markers, which is useful for breeders selecting powdery mildew resistance through marker‐assisted selection (MAS) in soybean breeding programmes.     

Direct and indirect selection for yield in chickpea

Summary The efficiency of indirect selection for seed yield was compared with direct selection for yield per se in chickpea. A total of 2500 single F₂ plants, derived from 50 crosses with 50 plants from each cross, were divided into five sub-populations (SP1 to SP5) of 500 plants each by including 10 plants from each of the 50 crosses. The five sub-populations were advanced upto F₆ by exercising 10% selection intensity for four successive generations for number of pods per plant in SP1, number of seeds per pod in SP2, seed weight in SP3, seed yield in SP4 and random selection in SP5. The efficiency of direct and indirect selection for yield was evaluated by comparing groups of 50 F₆ lines from each sub-population. SP1 and SP3 F₆ lines showed higher mean grain yield than the other three methods. SP1 and SP3 were found to be almost equally efficient in developing F₆ lines which were significantly superior to the check. This suggests that indirect selection for yield via pod number and seed weight is more efficient than direct selection for yield.     

Heritability and correlations among traits in four-way soybean crosses

Recurrent selection programs can use several crossing arrangements to synthesize basic populations for breeding purposes. This study evaluated heritability and correlations among traits in forty-five populations of F_2[4] and F_2:3[4] generations obtained throughout four-way crosses [4] between two dialells among ten semi-late and ten late maturity soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) genotypes. The generation advance was made by the TSHD (Thinned Single Hill Descent) method and all individual plants were evaluated for the following traits: number of days to flowering (NDF) and maturity (NDM), plant height at flowering (PHF) and maturity (PHM), agronomic value (AV) and seed yield (YLD). Four-way crosses associated with TSHD method provided high genetic variability in the populations with little or no reduction from F_2[4] to F_2:3[4]. The ‘narrow sense’ heritability estimated using correlations between F_2[4] and F_2:3[4] plants was lower than but closely related to broad-sense estimates. The populations 21(IAC-4 × IAC-9) × (GO79-1039 × Paranagoiana) and 23 (IAC-4 × Santa Rosa) × (GO79-1039 × Tropical) were the most productive with high variability in F_2[4] and/or F_2:3[4] generations. Genotypic correlations measured were generally high, positive and consistent for the two generations except for those related to AV and YLD. These results indicate that the use of four-way crosses can be an efficient method to increase the genetic base of populations for recurrent selection or cultivar development. Significant AV × YLD correlations indicated visual selection can be used as additional selection criteria for improving populations. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Single seed descent as a breeding method for swedes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L. var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">napobrassica</Emphasis> Peterm)

The results are presented of two single seed descent (SSD) breeding programmes for swedes (Brassica napus L. var. napobrassica Peterm). The first programme produced cultivar Virtue and was done as part of a research programme on heterosis. It involved the production and trialling in 1991 of 95 F₆ families from a single cross made in 1985 between lines derived from cultivars Criffel and Marian. Six F₆ families were mass multiplied in polythene tunnels in 1992, using blowflies as pollinators, and trialled in 1993 and 1994 before Virtue was entered into National List (NL) trials in 1995. The second programme was done as a commercially funded breeding programme and involved the production and trialling in 1999 of 1,037 F₆ families from 15 crosses made in 1993. Fifty F₆ families were advanced to F₇ in a glasshouse in 2000 and assessed in 2001. Six F₇ families were mass multiplied in polythene tunnels in 2002 and trialled in 2003. Two cultivars, Gowrie and Lomond, from the cross between Airlie and Invitation, were produced from the programme and entered NL trials in 2004. The SSD was traditional in the sense that each advanced family was descended from a different F₂ plant without selection and a glasshouse was used for the selfing generations. However, it differed from the schemes that have been operated for soybean and spring cereals in that it was not possible to grow two or three generations a year because of the vernalization requirements of swedes, and it was not possible to grow a large number of plants at really high density because the inflorescences needed to be covered with Glassine bags to prevent cross pollination. In yield trials over 4 years, Gowrie had the highest dry-matter yield (12.59 t/ha) of the three new cultivars, out yielded Magres (11.28 t/ha) and other shopping swedes, but was not as high yielding as cultivar Kenmore (13.44 t/ha) which had been produced by pedigree inbreeding with selection. A modified SSD breeding scheme is recommended in which family selection is practised at F₃.     

Response to early generation selection for grain yield and harvest index in bread wheat (T, aestivum L.)

The availability of a reliable selection criterion for the identification of the most productive genotypes in early generations represents a crucial point in many breeding programs. The findings reported in the literature concerning the effectiveness of early generation testing for grain yield (GY) or harvest index (HI) are contradictory. In this work, we measured the response to selection for GY and HI applied in different generations, from F₂ to F₆ in nine segregating populations previously screened in F₂ by means of visual selection. Genetic variability for HI and GY was found in most of the segregating populations. However, GY of spaced plants in F₆ and F₃ generations was weakly correlated with yield of F₄ and successive generations grown at normal seed density. HI was of limited value as an indicator of yield potential.     

SSR marker tightly linked to the Ti locus in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Soybean is a major source of protein meal in the world. Soybean kunitz trypsin inhibitor (SKTI) protein is a responsible for the inferior nutritional quality of unheated or incompletely heated soybean meal. The primary objective of this research was to identify DNA markers linked to the Ti locus controlling presence and absence of kunitz trypsin inhibitor protein. Two mapping populations were developed. Population 1 was derived from a cross between cultivar Jinpumkong2 (TiTi) and C242 (titi). Population 2 was made from a mating between cultivar Clark (TiTi) and C242. The F₁ plants were grown in the greenhouse to produce F₂ seeds. Each F₂ seed from F₁ plants was analyzed electrophoretically to determine the presence of the SKTI protein band. One-thousand RAPD primers, 342 AFLP primer sets, and 35 SSR primers were used to map Ti locus in population 1 and 2. The presence of SKTI protein was dominant to the lack of a SKTI protein and kunitz trypsin inhibit protein band was controlled by a single locus. Twelve DNA markers (4 RAPD, 4 AFLP, and 3 SSR) and Ti locus were found to be genetically linked in population 1 consisted with 94 F₂ individual plants. Three SSR markers (Satt409, Satt228, and Satt429) were linked with Ti locus within 10 cM. Satt228 marker was tightly linked with Ti locus. Satt228 marker was tightly linked within 0–3.7 cM of the Ti locus and may be useful in a marker assisted selection program.     

Prediction of F6 line performance from F3 families in spring oilseed rape. I. Yield and other agronomic traits

Summary The reliability of a selection among crosses based on a cross prediction in early generations was investigated in spring rapeseed. The performance of the parents, the F₂ generation, and random F₃ lines from four crosses were used to predict the probability of finding superior recombinant lines. These predictions were made for two years and compared with the observed performance of F₆ lines in the second of these two years and in an additional year. Predicted and observed performances coincided reasonably for the characters plant height, standability, maturity and an index calculated from seed yield, oil content and protein content. For seed yield and flowering time, the predictions were very unreliable. In conclusion, prediction methods may be useful in rapeseed breeding, if quality traits are of major commercial interest.