Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #260526
Title: Oil content and seed yield improvements of Lesquerella fendleri (Brassicaceae)

Author
item Dierig, David
item Coffelt, Terry
item RAY, D - University Of Arizona
item Dahlquist, Gail

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/18/2010
Publication Date: 9/18/2010
Citation: Dierig, D.A., Coffelt, T.A., Ray, D.T., Dahlquist, G.H. 2010. Oil content and seed yield improvements of Lesquerella fendleri (Brassicaceae). Meeting Abstract. AAIC 22nd Annual meeting, Fort Collins, CO September 18-22, 2010. pp 33.

Interpretive Summary: Improvement in seed oil content and seed yield of Lesquerella fendleri (Gray) Wats. (Brassicaceae) could have a large impact on attracting new markets for commercialization of this new oilseed crop. There have been several previous germplasm releases for public use with improvements of these traits. The oil consists predominantly of hydroxy fatty acids (HFA) useful for industrial lubricants, greases, biofuel additives, and cosmetics. This new cultivar of lesquerella brings the crop closer to the reality of a commercial crop. The objective of this study was to test the new cultivar ‘Gail’ in two Arizona locations over two years in replicated experiments to compare it to the best available germplasm. The locations were Tucson, AZ, a higher elevation and cooler environment, and Maricopa, AZ, a warmer environment in central Arizona. Plant biomass samples were obtained at harvests of both years from 10 plants/rep/ location/year. Plants were also sampled throughout the growing season. Flowering counts were done throughout the season. Seed yield was measured from individual plants, samples taken for oil content and profile, and harvest index calculated. Selection for ‘Gail’ was based on oil content and seed yield. Seed yield was higher in the cultivar ‘Gail’ at both locations and years compared to the two germplasm lines WCL-LO3 and WCL-LO1 used as checks. The plant biomass of ‘Gail’ was higher than the check lines at both locations the first year and one of the locations the second year. Plants of ‘Gail’ began flowering earlier at both locations compared to the two check lines. Results from seed oil content will be presented. The release of this new cultivar benefits growers and industrial markets by providing a new genetic material for use and a new base for further selection in breeding programs.

Technical Abstract: Improvement in seed oil content and seed yield of Lesquerella fendleri (Gray) Wats. (Brassicaceae) could have a large impact on attracting new markets for commercialization of this new oilseed crop. There have been several previous germplasm releases for public use with improvements of these traits. The oil consists predominantly of hydroxy fatty acids (HFA) useful for industrial lubricants, greases, biofuel additives, and cosmetics. This new cultivar of lesquerella brings the crop closer to the reality of a commercial crop. The objective of this study was to test the new cultivar ‘Gail’ in two Arizona locations over two years in replicated experiments to compare it to the best available germplasm. The locations were Tucson, AZ, a higher elevation and cooler environment, and Maricopa, AZ, a warmer environment in central Arizona. Plant biomass samples were obtained at harvests of both years from 10 plants/rep/ location/year. Plants were also sampled throughout the growing season. Flowering counts were done throughout the season. Seed yield was measured from individual plants, samples taken for oil content and profile, and harvest index calculated. Selection for ‘Gail’ was based on oil content and seed yield. Seed yield was higher in the cultivar ‘Gail’ at both locations and years compared to the two germplasm lines WCL-LO3 and WCL-LO1 used as checks. The plant biomass of ‘Gail’ was higher than the check lines at both locations the first year and one of the locations the second year. Plants of ‘Gail’ began flowering earlier at both locations compared to the two check lines. Results from seed oil content will be presented. The release of this new cultivar benefits growers and industrial markets by providing a new genetic material for use and a new base for further selection in breeding programs.