Initial selection and breeding of Lesquerella fendleri, a new industrial oilseed

Considerable research and developmental efforts are being devoted by both the public and private sectors to commercialize Lesquerella fendleri as a new industrial oilseed crop for the production of hydroxy fatty acids. Selection and breeding research initiated in 1984 at the USDA-ARS, US Water Conservation Laboratory, Phoenix, Arizona has made progress in increasing seed, oil and lesquerolic acid yields. Yields of 1700 kg/ha of seed, 30% oil and 59% lesquerolic acid have been obtained in replicated trials. Single plant selections developed during the interium are traceable to two populations: one to a single collection made in Arizona, PI 331165, and the other to nine different accessions collected from various sites in Texas. Variation among selections within each population exhibited relatively the same amount of genetic variability. Neither population appeared to be superior as a source of variation. The need for acquisition and utilization of new sources of germplasm is indicated. Topcross yield performance of six selected lines appeared to be superior to that of comparable halfsib family progeny, validating the existence of heterosis, which is expected due to the high degree of natural cross pollination observed. These data should serve as a benchmark upon which future progress in varietal and population development can be measured.