Screening rapeseed (B. napus) for low glucosinolate levels

Abstract

As part of a rapeseed breeding programme crosses were made between the low glucosinolate cultivar Bronowski and high glucosinolate cultivars Oro, Zephyr, Argentine, Chisaya and Norin 16. The 2887 F2 lines resulting from these crosses were initially screened for low glucosinolate character by the glukatest. Lines passing this test were examined in more detail using quantitative chemical techniques. The efficiency of the glukatest as an initial screening technique was demonstrated by the fact that it eliminated the large majority of high glucosinolate lines. L-5-vinyl-2-oxazolidinethione (OZT) was isolated from rapeseed and purified by a modified method using preparative thin layer chromatography. This method is described in detail.