Parkin: Development of a Germplasm Resource to Dissect Complex Traits in Brassica Napus
Date: February 2017
Term: 5 years
Status: Completed
Researcher(s): Isobel Parkin, Sally Vail, Steve Robinson, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon SK
SaskCanola Investment: n/a
Total Project Cost: n/a
Funding Partners: ADF, ACPC, MCGA
Project Summary
Modern canola varieties are derived from a relatively small subset of the genetic diversity found within available collections of Brassica napus germplasm. Intensive selection for specific quality traits has further narrowed the genetic diversity within elite breeding lines. This project aimed to exploit diversity from across available collections of B. napus and provide a valuable resource for plant breeders to select new germplasm based on both phenotype and genotype. The NAM population generated from the project will be an extremely valuable resource for studying multiple traits relevant to sustainable canola production.
Modern canola varieties are derived from a relatively small subset of the genetic diversity found within available collections of Brassica napus germplasm. Intensive selection for specific quality traits has further narrowed the genetic diversity within elite breeding lines. This project aimed to exploit diversity from across available collections of B. napus and provide a valuable resource for plant breeders to select new germplasm based on both phenotype and genotype.
Researchers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon initiated a five-year study in 2012, employing various molecular and genomics technologies to help develop and characterize germplasm. This not only captured the available diversity within the expanse of spring type B. napus, but also provided a platform for dissecting and manipulating multiple complex traits. The study included various objectives and components to generate a nested association mapping (NAM) population that could be used for the study of complex traits in both the field and lab environment. The NAM population has been extensively genotyped. The final objective was to multiply the seeds of all of the NAM lines and then provided these to breeders and researchers.
Researchers conducted lab, greenhouse and field based studies to phenotype the 50 founder lines and common line, from which the NAM population was developed, for four field seasons under Saskatchewan conditions. In 2015 and 2016, the lines were grown in additional Saskatchewan locations in Melfort, Outlook (irrigated and dryland plots) and Scott, and also at Beaverlodge, Alberta. The molecular and genomics technologies research components, including the NAM population mapping, was conducted at AAFC Saskatoon. The seed multiplication was done by AAFC in collaboration with industry partners.
As a result of the project, researchers developed a structured population of B.napus that is being used for the study of complex traits in both the field and lab environment. The NAM population generated is composed of >2500 recombinant inbred lines derived from 50 diverse crosses. The founding parental lines were extensively phenotyped in the field and lab, highlighting wide-ranging variability for agronomically important traits. The whole population was assayed in the field in 2016 providing preliminary data for association of important traits with the underlying genes controlling their expression.
This population can act as an effective link between the extensive genomics resources developed for Brassica species and the downstream breeding programs, filling a gap often noted by producer groups and stakeholders in the wider industry. Researchers have already used this population to leverage funding for a number of aligned projects which are studying a range of traits, including protein accumulation and quality, drought and heat stress, root-soil interactions, seed dormancy and verticillium resistance. The developed NAM population will be an extremely valuable resource for studying multiple traits relevant to sustainable canola production. Researchers are also recommending the development of a searchable database that will allow access to the generated data and become a valuable mechanism for further disseminating information about this resource.
In addition, collaboration between the Global Institute for Food Security and the University of Saskatchewan has established a Plant Phenotyping and Imaging Research Centre (P2IRC). The Centre is developing high-throughput methods for plant phenotyping (both lab and field based) that is using the NAM population as one experimental crop platform.
6/24/2016, Multispectral Camera, 20m, 13.6mm
Images acquired by Hema Sudhakar Duddu
Full Report PDF: Development of a Germplasm Resource to Dissect Complex Traits in Brassica Napus