THE INHERITANCE OF ERUCIC ACID CONTENT IN RAPESEED (<i>BRASSICA NAPUS</i>)

Abstract

Genetic analysis of F 2 , F 3 , and backcross populations supported the hypothesis that erucic acid content in seed oil of plants of Brassica napus L. is governed by two genes displaying no dominance and acting in an additive manner. Environment appeared to influence erucic acid content, especially in genotypes capable of producing a large amount of this acid. Methods for the breeding of plants of Brassica campestris L. with zero erucic acid are outlined and it is suggested that similar methods could be used to breed for or against other fatty acids.