Enlarging the genetic diversity of winter oilseed rape (WOSR) by crossing with spring oilseed rape (SOSR)

From 1970 to nowadays, breeders have improved oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in many ways: creation of double low varieties (free of erucic acid and with a low content in glucosinolates), increase of the seed yield and quality of seeds and improvement of resistance to diseases. All this work helped oilseed rape to become one of the most produced oilseed crop in the world. However, this intensive breeding on quality has reduced the genetic diversity of winter oilseed rape. In this study, a group of four breeding companies (RAGT, Limagrain, Syngenta, Euralis) called “GIE Colza” has been working with INRAE (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, France) on the FSRSO project “Printiver”. This project aimed at enlarging the genetic variability available in winter-type oilseed rape through crossing with spring-type materials to create lines with a winter-type behavior (need of vernalization) and a genetic background that has introgressed spring-type genetic diversity. Two pools have been created and selected for their need of vernalization, date of flowering, yield and other agronomic traits. The Group tested these two pools in multilocal trials. The results show interesting per se value and combining ability.