CHANGES IN OIL CONTENT AND FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION IN DEVELOPING SEEDS OF HIGH ERUCIC MUSTARD (BRASSICA-JUNCEA) VARIETIES

The pattern of deposition of oil and its fatty acid composition was studied in eight varieties of high erucic mustard (Brassica juncea) at eight different stages of seed development. The results indicated that the seed biomass, oil content and amount of oil/seed increased as the maturity progressed. The maximum oil in case of varieties Varuna and Rohini was recorded at S8 stages (125 DAS) while the varieties Vaibhav Vardan, Krishna, Kranti, Pusa Bold and Pusa barani, gave maximum value sat 115 DAS. Concentrations of palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids decreased and those of linolenic, eicosenoic and erucic increased with the seed development. In case of Varuna, Rohini and Pusa Barani the maximum erucic acid content was observed at S8 stage. However in rest of varieties, almost the maximum values were observed at S7 only and this stage appeared to be appropriate stage of physiological maturity. Harvesting the crop at this stage might give almost same status of oil and less erucic acid than the seed harvested at absolute maturity. The practice might also minimise the shattering losses and enable about 10 days earlier vacation of field for succeeding crop.