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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 59(9)

Identification of variability in phenological responses in canola-quality Brassica juncea for utilisation in Australian breeding programs

W. A. Burton A B G , R. F. Flood A C , R. M. Norton B , B. Field D , D. A. Potts E , M. J. Robertson F and P. A. Salisbury A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Primary Industries, Grains Innovation Park, Private Bag 260, Horsham, Vic. 3401, Australia.

B Faculty of Land and Food Resources, University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.

C Deceased.

D Department of Primary Industries, Environment and Water, Tas. 7000, Australia.

E Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Research and Development, 201-407 Downey Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 4L8 Canada.

F CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Private Bag 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia.

G Corresponding author. Email: wayne.burton@dpi.vic.gov.au

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 59(9) 874-881 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR07415
Submitted: 2 November 2007  Accepted: 16 June 2008   Published: 26 August 2008

Abstract

Canola-quality Brassica juncea is a potential alternative crop species in lower rainfall Australian environments due to its superior heat and drought tolerance, disease resistance, and pod-shatter resistance compared with the currently grown B. napus species. Canola-quality types of B. juncea that are adapted to flower and mature before water deficits and high temperatures significantly limit yield potential are currently being developed. In this study, the variability in phenological characteristics in canola-quality B. juncea is assessed, with a view to identifying the potential for including a range of genetic phenological controls on the development of the crop to assist with adaptation.

Vernalisation response was compared among 17 lines of B. juncea and 3 of B. napus, using a cold treatment of 2.6°C for 25 days. Leaf number, and duration to first flower and maturity were compared in response to the vernalisation treatments. To assess day length response, the same 20 genotypes were sown at five locations with a range of sowing times, and one controlled environment, where day length was artificially extended. Development stages were assessed and the duration of particular phenological phases determined in relation to time, thermal time, and photoperiod.

The major factor controlling flowering in canola-quality B. juncea genotypes was day length, with only small responses to vernalisation detected. There was sufficient variability in these traits and in thermal time to flowering under long days (intrinsic earliness) within the current canola-quality germplasm in Australia to select early flowering genotypes with potential adaptation to low-rainfall environments.

Additional keywords: flowering, vernalisation, temperature, adaptation.


Acknowledgments

We thank Mr D. Robson, Mr S. Barnes, Mr T. Clancy, and Mr P. Flett, Department of Primary Industries breeding program based at Horsham. We also thank Mr P. Lim and Ms C. Wright, formally of Victorian Department of Primary Industries, for statistical analyses, and Dr Maarten van Ginkel for constructive comments on the manuscript. This research was supported by the Australian Grains Research and Development Corporation.


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