Future Prospects for Brassica Oilseed Improvement through Genomics

• Published in: Genetics, Genomics and Breeding of Oilseed Brassicas Vol. 1; pp. 373 - 397
• Main Authors: Don Palmer, C.E., Keller, Wilf A.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom CRC Press 2012; Taylor & Francis Group
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Agricultural science; Botany & plant sciences; Food & beverage technology; systems biology; Scar Marker; DH; SNP Marker; transgenics; Bacterial Leaf Blight; QTL Mapping; SRAP Marker; BAC End Sequence; SSR Marker; SNP Genotyping; Nitrogen use efficiency; stress tolerance; DH Line; plant architecture; SSR Motif; Brassica Species; DNA Marker; RAPD Marker; Blackleg Resistance; seed yield; Linkage Map; Mapping Populations; Brassica Genomes; SNP Allele; Identifi Ed; RFLP Marker; Major QTL; AFLP Marker; SNP Discovery
• ISBN: 9781578087204; 1578087201
• DOI: 10.1201/b11406-16

Brassica oilseed crops will undoubtedly play a major role in the drive for food and energy security in the future. This necessitates the maximization of yield. For this to be realized, these crops must be equipped with the necessary genetic diversity to withstand the challenges of climate change and the consequent biotic and abiotic stresses, without compromising yield. Key considerations for improvement should be the use of genomic tools for the identification and isolation of traits for resource use efficiency and to increase understanding of biochemical and physiological constraints to yield. Incorporation of genes for specific traits into these crops is an important step, but for sustained gains in yield there must be a greater understanding of gene functions and their interactions. A systems biology approach will be required to gain greater insight into the genetic control of biological processes and the relevance to plant performance. To maximize yield of Brassica oilseed species, one must take into account plant architecture, seed size, number and weight. Manipulation of these traits for yield increase must be based on sound knowledge of the relevant plant biological processes. Transgenic technology will play a key role in future improvement of Brassica oilseed crops and will likely be the method of choice for designing these crops for delivery of a range of bio-products. A potentially valuable source of genes for improvement of these oilseeds is the wild progenitor species and utilization of these genes can be greatly enhanced by 374the application of genomic and transgenic technology. Compared to carbohydrate storage crops, more photoassimilates are required for oilseed production. Consequently, emphasis should be placed on increasing the efficiency of solar energy transduction into biomass through the use of genomic tools.