Genetic and molecular approaches to improve nutritional value of Brassica napus L. seed

C R Biol. 2008 Oct;331(10):763-71. doi: 10.1016/j.crvi.2008.07.018. Epub 2008 Sep 4.

Abstract

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is a major oil crop that also supplies proteins for the feed industry. In order to reduce total cost production, the objective is to increase oil yield while reducing crop inputs (especially nitrogen and pesticides). Concomitantly, it is necessary to anticipate specific uses (e.g., fatty acid composition) and to ensure the valorisation of the by-products (rapeseed meal). By the past, improvement of seed quality focused on fatty acid balance and low seed glucosinolate content. Current goals include the breeding of yellow-seeded rapeseed lines with high content of seed oil. The use of molecular tools and the exploitation of Arabidopsis knowledge will be presented and discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animals
  • Brassica napus / genetics*
  • Brassica napus / metabolism
  • Breeding / methods*
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Food, Genetically Modified
  • Genes, Plant
  • Genetic Variation
  • Glucosinolates / adverse effects
  • Glucosinolates / metabolism
  • Nutritive Value
  • Plant Oils / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / analysis
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / physiology
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Rats
  • Seeds / chemistry*
  • Seeds / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / metabolism

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Glucosinolates
  • Plant Oils
  • Plant Proteins
  • Triglycerides