Genetic variation for seed quality traits and its relation to seed germination and seed longevity in winter oilseed rape

Increasing seed oil and protein content of the defatted meal by decreasing the seed fibre content of oilseed rape are important breeding aims. Available yellow seeded mutants have shown decreased fibre contents. However, competitive yellow seeded cultivars are not yet available, which may be due to negative pleiotropic effects of those mutants on seed germination, juvenile plant development and seed oil contents. The present project aims at studying the inheritance of the yellow seed character in winter oilseed rape using new, hitherto not investigated yellow seeded germplasm. Seeds harvested from segregating doubled haploid populations will be analyzed for seed quality traits, seed germination and seed longevity applying an artificial ageing test.