REGULAR ARTICLE
Fatty acid and glucosinolate level in seeds of different types of winter oilseed rape cultivars (Brassica napus L.)
Alina Liersch, Jan Bocianowski, Iwona Bartkowiak-Broda
Commun. Biometry Crop Sci. (2013) 8 (2), 39-47.
ABSTRACT
Winter oilseed rape is today the most important oil crop in the European Union.
Almost all of the oilseed rape production in Europe is based on zero erucic,
low seed glucosinolate type (so-called 00-quality or canola-quality seed).
Winter oilseed rape oil is ideal for human nutrition and for use as a biofuel.
The aim of this study was to determine the variability of the major fatty acids and
glucosinolates in seven winter oilseed rape cultivars of different types: open pollinated,
composite hybrids and restored hybrids. During two crop seasons (2002-2003 and 2003-2004),
varieties were tested in field trials in two locations in the Wielkopolskie region of Poland.
Location affected oil and the glucosinolate contents (especially for progoitrin and alkenyl total).
The mean oil concentration ranged from 44.5% (Borowo 2003) to 48.2% (Borowo 2004), with a high coefficient
of heritability in the range of 0.57-0.89, respectively. The composite hybrids Kaszub and Pomorzanin
and their maternal line CMS Samourai had the highest alkenyl glucosinolate levels.
The cultivar Kronos had low levels of gluconapin, glucobrassicanapin, progoitrin,
indolyl, and alkenyl total. The heritability coefficients for total alkenyl glucosinolate
levels were high for all four studied environments. Fatty acid and glucosinolate levels in
the different types of cultivars tested were typical for double low winter oilseed rape
cultivars that have been sown in Poland and throughout Europe for 30 years.
Key Words: oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.); different types of cultivars; fatty acid compositions; glucosinolate level.
