Modern Canola Breeding Program at North Dakota State University.

Abstract

North Dakota is the leading canola producing states in the USA with over 81% of US production. North Dakota State University (NDSU) initiated a modern spring canola breeding program in 2006. The goal of this program is to increase the competitiveness of ND in the production and processing of canola for oil and biodiesel. A wide diversified Brassica germplasm with both roundup ready and conventional types have been obtained from both private and public sectors across the world. In addition to NDSU independent canola breeding program, a collaborative breeding research has been established with Monsanto and DL Seeds Inc. Crossing and backcrossing have been made between genetically diverse winter type with spring type canola, and spring type with spring type canola to develop new breeding lines with desirable traits. Interspecific crosses were also made among B. napus, B. rapa, B. juncea and B. carinata to modify and improve the seed yield and oil profile of B. napus. A total of 380 wide diversified B. napus lines have been partially sequenced for genotyping by sequencing (GBS) data for trait related marker development. Canola double haploid production and molecular marker technology is already in place to accelerate the breeding line development program. The breeding program obtained a licensing agreement with INRA, France to utilize Ogura-CMS and restorer (R-2000) system in hybrid breeding program for inbred line development. Both greenhouse and wide range growth chamber are utilizing to grow canola in controlled environment. The seed quality lab is equipped with near infrared spectrophotometer for seed oil, seed protein and fatty acid profile analysis. Disease screening facilities are available both in the greenhouse and in the field with misting irrigation system with the cooperation of NDSU plant pathologist. The capacity of field plot testing and harvesting program is over 5,000 plots per year at seven trial locations across the state. Off-season (winter) nursery is located in Santiago, Chile that significantly reduced the breeding cycle to get homozygous breeding lines and sufficient seeds for following summer trials. The field testing program is fully equipped with Hage 6-row planter, new R-Tech swather, Wintersteiger combine with harvest master, tractor, cultivator, truck, trailer etc. Although the breeding program is comparatively new, however, a high oil variety (NDSU-662c) was released for the 1^st time from this program in 2011. Three hybrids with very high seed yield and high oil content were identified in NDSU canola breeding trials as well as in ND canola variety trials (3^rd party trial) in North Dakota and in process to release soon.