A Genetic Approach towards Modulating Pre-Harvest Pod Shatter in Brassica napus (Oilseed Rape)

Wood, Thomas (2010) A Genetic Approach towards Modulating Pre-Harvest Pod Shatter in Brassica napus (Oilseed Rape). Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Pre-harvest pod-shattering in Brassica napus (Oilseed Rape) is a serious agricultural and economic problem, with losses of 11-25% reported (Price et al., 1996) resulting in lost revenues of an estimated £66 million per annum for the U.K. alone. Reductions in this loss will provide benefits for both society and the environment. Lines from a doubled haploid B. napus mapping population, segregating for Pod Shatter Resistance (PSR), termed POSH 1-3 exhibited a range of shatter resistance phenotypes. A Random Impact Test (RIT) was used to measure the difference between levels of PSR in population lines. An assessment of pod physiology among these lines revealed that PSR is associated with increases in the amount of vasculature and changes in vascular orientation as reported in the resistant DK142 parent line (Child et al.2003). PSR was also found to result from differences in degradation of a key tissue required for valve separation in both B. napus and Arabidopsis. A genetic linkage map has been produced for the population and includes a number of candidate gene markers with established roles in fruit development in Arabidopsis. The linkage map was used as a basis to perform a QTL analysis where a number of loci associated with increases in PSR in B. napus have been identified. Genetic markers linked to these loci could provide a valuable tool for marker assisted selection (MAS) to improve pre-harvest pod shatter in B. napus. A novel assay has also been developed to investigate differences in PSR between Arabidopsis ecotypes. Shatter resistant ecotypes have been identified within the accessions tested. This could enable the differences between the model and crop species to be compared to assess if factors regulating such traits are conserved. This may also provide insight into new candidates to modulate preharvest pod shatter for agronomic improvement of Brassica species.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
Depositing User:	Nicola Veasy
Date Deposited:	10 Mar 2015 16:31
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2015 16:31
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/52601
DOI:

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