Application of doubled haploid technology in breeding of Brassica napus

Abstract

Brassica is the most economically important genus in the Brassicaceae family. Among Brassica crops, oilseeds have the highest economic value, reflected in the fatty acid composition of the oil. Resistance to fungal pathogens and insect pests is frequently investigated in the selection of Brassicas. Cultivars resistant to Sclerotinia would be desirable for both ecological and economic reasons. Cabbage seedpod weevil and root maggot could be controlled by introgression of resistance genes and analysis of qualitative traits. Haploids of rapeseed are used to produce haploid calli for in vitro mutation selection. Homozygous rapeseed plants are generated by culturing microspores from flower buds of F1 plants. The doubled haploid production system enables breeders to develop homozygous genotypes from heterozygous parents in one generation. Since the development of ‘canola’, rapeseed low in erucic acid and glucosinolates, research has shifted towards reduction of linolenic acid. Finally, selection methods for improved seed meal and cold tolerance are introduced, and the use of interspecific crosses is discussed.