PROJECT RESULTS

Genetic Improvement of Canola

Dr. Radisa Gjuric

Brett-Young Seeds Limited

Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3V 1L5  Canada

Table of Contents:

• Background and Objective
• Procedure and Project Activities
• Results and Discussion

ARDI Project:

#01-485

Project Status:

Completed January, 2005

Background and Objective:

Hybrid canola is anticipated to comprise the large majority of the canola acres planted in the near future.  The successful exploitation of heterosis in canola is a key to increasing value of the canola crop to growers.  The majority of the hybrid canola seed production is currently based in irrigated areas of Southern Alberta and world oil markets are increasingly demanding healthier oils.

The objectives of the program were:

1. Develop high yielding canola hybrid varieties in a hybrid system(s) that have no problem with temperature sensitivity.

2. Develop the basic concepts of gene pools and explore heterosis in canola.

3. Develop a method of fast conversion of modified oil canola accessions into germplasm carrying traits that are adapted to the Western Canadian market.

Procedure and Project Activities:

Objective 1 – Hybrid Development

Initial material for hybrid development was accessed from public and private breeding organizations.  Male sterile lines and restorer lines were developed and evaluated in various hybrid combinations.

Objective 2 – Heterosis in Canola

A series of diallel crosses were performed from a diverse background.  Hybrid combinations were evaluated for yield to establish heterotic effects.

Objective 3 – Modified Oil Conversion

A number of accessions with modified oil profiles were evaluated with a molecular marker backcrossing scheme for conversion of improved germplasm to the modified oil profile.

Results and Discussion:

Objective 1 – Hybrid Development

New restorer and mother line development is presented in Tables 1.1 and 1.2.  The number of test hybrid combinations tested in trials (Table 1.4) is presented in Table 1.3.

Table 1.1.  New Restorer Development

Table 1.2.  New Mother Line Development

Table 1.3  Number of Test Hybrids Developed and Tested During 2000-2003

Table 1.4.  Number of Trial Plots on All Locations (Private and In-House Trials)

Objective 1 was met and the timetable was followed.  We have developed hybrids in Ogura hybrid system and all the indications are that production will not be affected by stability under high temperatures.  The restorer lines were developed in-house, therefore no need to enter licensing agreements with patent holders, i.e. Pioneer Hi-Bred and Monsanto.  Five hybrids recommended for registration (4 in 2004 and 1 in 2005) were developed with the help of ARDI funds. 

Newer mother lines for MSL hybrids did not show significant improvement and this part was dropped to provide resources for work on Ogura system.  Decision tools used are based on statistical analysis of field data.

Facilities and equipment provided by ARDI funds allowed us to increase the volume of a) field testing, b) start in-house double haploid production, c) increase the volume of greenhouse program; all of which contributed to successful completion of this objective.

Objective 2 – Heterosis in Canola

A study was organized in 1001-2002 to understand the concept of geographic gene pools.  Results are presented in table 2.1.  These results showed that gene pools of geographic origin are a poor predictor of heterosis.

Table 2.1.