Potential of rutabaga (Brassica napus var. napobrassica) gene pool for use in the breeding of B. napus canola

The narrow genetic diversity in Brassica napus L. (AACC, 2n = 38) canola is one of the major impediment for continued improvement of this crop. Among the different primary gene pools of B. napus, rutabaga (B. napus var. napobrassica) is genetically distinct from spring canola. The potential value of this gene pool for use in the breeding of B. napus canola was investigated in the present study. For this, 93 advanced generation inbred lines with a spring growth habit were developed from F-2 and BC1 populations of rutabaga x spring canola crosses and evaluated in replicated field trials for agronomic and seed quality traits. These inbred lines were also genotyped with SSR markers to assess the extent of allelic diversity introgressed from rutabaga into the inbred lines. Some of the inbred lines gave higher seed yield and had greater oil content than their spring canola parent. Molecular marker analysis showed that genetically distinct B. napus canola lines carrying unique alleles of the A and C genomes of rutabaga could be obtained from both F-2- and BC1-derived populations. Thus, the results demonstrate the potential of using the rutabaga gene pool for the improvement of B. napus canola.