BnaSD.C3 is a novel major quantitative trait locus affecting semi-dwarf architecture in Brassica napus L.

Plant height is a key plant architectural trait that affects the seed yield,harvest index and lodging resistance in Brassica napus L.,although the genetic mechanisms affecting plant height remain unclear.Here,a semi-dwarf mutant,df34,was obtained by ethyl methanesulphonate-induced mutagenesis.Genetic analysis showed that the semi-dwarf phenotype is controlled by one semi-dominant gene,which was located on chromosome C03 using a bulked segregant analysis coupled with whole-genome sequencing,and this gene was named BnaSD.C3.Then BnaSD.C3 was fine-mapped to a 297.35-kb segment of the“Darmor-bzh”genome,but there was no potential candidate gene for the semi-dwarf trait underlying this interval.Furthermore,the interval was aligned to the Zhongshuang 11 reference genome.Finally,combining structural variation analysis,transcriptome sequencing,phytohormone analyses and gene annotation information,BnaC03G0466900ZS and BnaC03G0478900ZS were determined to be the most likely candidate genes affecting the plant height of df34.This study provides a novel major locus for breeding and new insights into the genetic architecture of plant height in B.napus.

Detection of new candidate genes controlling seed weight by integrating gene coexpression analysis and QTL mapping in Brassica napus L.

Seed weight is a component of seed yield in rapeseed(Brassica napus L.).Although quantitative trait loci(QTL)for seed weight have been reported in rapeseed,only a few causal quantitative trait genes(QTGs)have been identified,resulting in a limitation in understanding of seed weight regulation.We constructed a gene coexpression network at the early seed developmental stage using transcripts of 20,408 genes in QTL intervals and 1017 rapeseed homologs of known genes from other species.Among the 10 modules in this gene coexpression network,modules 1 and 2 were core modules and contained genes involved in source–flow–sink processes such as synthesis and transportation of fatty acid and protein,and photosynthesis.A hub gene SERINE CARBOXYPEPTIDASE-LIKE 19(SCPL19)was identified by candidate gene association analysis in rapeseed and functionally investigated using Arabidopsis T-DNA mutant and overexpression lines.Our study demonstrates the power of gene coexpression analysis to prioritize candidate genes from large candidate QTG sets and enhances the understanding of molecular mechanism for seed weight at the early developmental stage in rapeseed.

Mechanical Harvesting Effects on Seed Yield Loss,Quality Traits and Profitability of Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)

China is one of the most important rapeseed producing countries in the world. Effective mechanical harvesting time for decreasing harvesting loss of winter oilseed rape has been becoming a critical factor. An elite cultivar Zhongshuang 11 （Brassica napus L.） was employed in two rounds of field experiments from 2009 to 2011. Seeds were sown with machine, three combine harvesting times namely combine harvesting A, B, and C （CHA, CHB, and CHC） were designed and manual harvesting （MH） as control was performed at maturity. The harvesting treatments were determined according to color of pod and seed in the field. Seed yield loss and quality in different treatments were evaluated. Results showed that both seed yields and harvesting losses in 2009-2010 were higher than that in 2010-2011, whereas seed oil contents in 2010-2011 were higher than that in 2009-2010. The highest yield appeared in CHB, which was significantly higher than that in MH. Furthermore, harvesting loss in CHB were 50% that in MH. Seed oil content and chlorophyll exhibited no obvious difference between CHB and MH. Economic profit analysis demonstrated that mechanical sowing/combine harvesting （MS/CH） showed an input/output ratio of 1：1.6, and it was 1：1.2 in mechanical sowing/manual harvesting （MS/MH）. Labor-cost accounted for more than 70% of the total cost in MS/MH, which led to low profitability to a great extent. Our results suggested that CHB was the optimum harvesting time for winter oilseed rape along the Yangtze River.

Identification of a Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Line NEA in Brassica napus L.and Its Genetic Studies

Male sterile NEA plants were identified in progenies of the radiated 92P x Aggregate-silique in Brassica napus L. in 1993. Their progeny plants from test crossing and open pollination were 100% male sterile. The double-low male sterile lines JL-4 and JL-18 were bred through successive backcrossing of the double -low variety No.4 and No. 18 in Brassica napus L.to NEA. Restorer lines 6720 and 6722 with significant heterosis in F1 were developed. The results from investigating the restoring-ntaintaining relationship and inheritance of the restorer gene indicated that JL-4 and JL-18 were different from both PolCMS and Shan 2A type, and their restorer gene was controlled by a pair of dominant genie genes.

Detection of Tocopherol in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Using Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector

The variation among Chinese genotypes of Brassica napus L. for seed tocopherols content and their analysis using gas chromatography has not been comprehensively reported till to date. In the present study, the tocopherol contents of four Chinese genotypes of Brassica napus L., namely, Gaoyou 605, Zhejiang 619, Zheshuang 758, and Zheshuang 72, were evaluated using three modified sample preparation protocols （P1, P2, and P3） for tocopherol extraction. These methods were distinguished as follows. Protocol one （P1） included the evaporation of solvent after extraction without silylation. Protocol two （P2） followed the direct supernatant collection after overnight extraction without drying and silylation. Protocol three （P3） included trimethylsilylation with N,O-bis（trimethylsilyl） trifluoroacetamide. Genotypic comparison of tocopherol and its isoforms revealed that Gaoyou 605 was dominant over the other genotypes with （140.5＋ 10.5）, （316.2＋ 9.2）, and （559.1＋ 24.3） ~tg g-~ of seed meal ct-, 7-, and total （T-） tocopherol, respectively, and a 0.44＋0.04 ^- to 7-tocopherol ratio. The comparison of the sample preparation protocols, on the other hand, suggests that P3 is the most suitable method for the tocopherol extraction from Brassica oilseeds and for the analysis of tocopherols using gas chromatography flame ionization detector （GC-FID）. Trimethylsilylation is the key step differentiating P3 from P1 and P2. Variations detected in tocopherol contents among the Chinese rapeseed （B. napus） genotypes signify the need to quantify a wide range of rapeseed germplasm for seed tocopherol dynamics in short and crop improvement in long.

QTL Analysis of the Oil Content and the Hull Content in Brassica napus L.

The QTLs of the oil content and the hull content were analyzed in Brassica napus L. by constructing the linkage map. The F2：6RIL population with 188 lines, derived from the cross of GH06 × P147, was used as the mapping population. The SRAP, SSR, AFLP, and TRAP markers were used to construct the linkage map, and the composite interval mapping （CIM） to identify the quantitative trait loci associated with the oil content and the hull content. 300 markers were integrated into 19 linkage groups, covering 1 248.5 cM in total. Seven QTLs were found to be responsible for the oil content with the single contribution to phenotypic variance ranging from 3.73 to 10.46%; four QTLs were found for the hull content with the single contribution to phenotypic variance ranging from 4.89 to 6.84%. The yellow-seeded Brassica napus L. has the advantage of higher oil content and the hull content has a significant effect on the oil content. In addition, the SRAP marker is good for detecting QTL.

Combining Ability and Genetic Effects of Germination Traits of Brassica napus L.Under Waterlogging Stress Condition

Cross combinations from six rapeseed cultivars and lines were evaluated under waterlogging stress condition in order to understand the genetic mechanism of waterlogging tolerance of Brassica napus L.and provide reasonable improvement programs.There were six germination traits investigated on combining ability and heritability using complete diallel crossing method designed for 30 combinations from those six cultivars and lines.The traits included relative root length,stem length,fresh weight per plant,survival rate,electrical conductivity,and vigor index.After flooding treatment,the six traits of parents and F1 were analyzed.The general combining ability（GCA） and special combining ability（SCA） of germination traits were analyzed using Griffing I method.Among 30 cross combinations,the GCA was significantly different among six waterlogging resistance traits.The SCA of these traits was significantly different except the SCA of electrical conductivity.As a representative trait of waterlogging tolerance in rapeseed,relative vigor index had the highest narrow heritability and relatively low broad heritability.The cultivars Zhongshuang 9 and P79 had higher tolerance potential to waterlogging stress.It can be concluded that combining ability and genetic effects of relative vigor index during germination stage could be used to identify the waterlogging tolerance of rapeseed in breeding program.

Molecular evidence for blocking erucic acid synthesis in rapeseed(Brassica napus L.) by a two-base-pair deletion in FAE1(fatty acid elongase 1)

DNA sequences of fatty acid elongase 1 genes FAE1.1 （EA） and FAE1.2 （Ec） were isolated and characterized for 30 com- mercialized low erucic acid rapeseed （LEAR） cultivars in China. Four types of independent mutation leading to low erucic acid trait were found, i.e., a single-base transition （eAl）, a two-base deletion （ec2） and four-base deletion （eC4） as well as single-base transition with a four-base deletion （eA.）. Three genotypes, i.e., eA1eA1eC2eC2, eA1eA1eC4eC4 and eA.eA.ec4ec4 were responsible for LEA content in storage Iipids of different rapeseed cultivars. Most of the LEAR cultivars had a genotype of eA1eA1ec2ec2, which were descended from the first LEAR cultivar, Oro. Yeast expression analysis revealed that two-base-pair （AA） deletion （ec2） at the base sites of 1 422-1 423 in the C genome FAE1 gene resulted in the absence of the condensing enzyme and led to the failure to produce erucic acid. Coexpression of FAE1 and ketoacyI-CoA reductase （KCR） or enoyI-CoA reductase （ECR） was found in high erucic acid rapeseed （HEAR） but not in LEAR （eA1eA1ec2ec2oreA1eA1ec4ec4）. Moreover, KCR and ECR were still coordinately regulated in eA1eA1ec2ec2 or eA1eA1ec4ec4 genotypes, suggesting that the expression of two genes was tightly linked. In addition, specific detection methods were developed by high-resolution melting curve analysis in order to detect eA1 and ec4.

Genetic Diversity of Chinese and Swedish Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Analyzed by Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSRs)

We have compared genetic diversity of 24 Chinese weak-winter, Swedish winter and spring B. napus accessions by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs). By cluster analysis (UPGMA) based on 125 polymorphism bands amplified with 20 primers, the 24 accessions were divided into three groups. Six Swedish winter lines and eight Chinese weak-winter lines were in the group I and the groupⅡwere two Chinese weak-winter lines XiangyoulS and Bao81. The third group contained eight Swedish spring lines. Principal co-ordinates analysis (PCO) showed similar groupings to cluster analysis. Results from cluster analysis and PCO analysis showed very clearly that Chinese weak-winter, Swedish spring and winter accessions were distinguished from each other and Chinese weak-winter accessions in this study were genetically closer to Swedish winter accessions than to Swedish spring accessions. The Chinese weak-winter accessions had larger diversity than Swedish spring or winter accessions did. This study indicated that ISSR is a suitable and effective tool to evaluate genetic diversity among rapeseed germplasm.

Relationship Between Hybrid Performance and Genetic Diversity Based on SSRs and ISSRs in Brassica napus L.

To investigate the relationship between genetic distance (GD) and hybrid performance, two types of molecular markers, microsatellites (simple sequence repeats, SSRs) and intro-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs), were employed to detect the genetic diversity of 3 double low self-incompatible lines and 22 male parental varieties of Brassica napus from different geographical origins. Hybrids were produced in a NCⅡ mating design by hand-pollination. The result indicated that 25 parental varieties (lines) could be divided into six groups by Un-weighted Pair Group Mathematics Average (UPGMA) clustering based on GDs. SI-1300 and SI-1320 could be singly clustered into one group, respectively. Varieties from China could be separated into another group, SI-1310 and varieties from foreign countries could be separated into other three groups. The grouping was generally consistent with parental pedigrees and geographical origins. Significant differences in yield, quality and phenological period traits were observed among these parent groups. Although hybrid yield/plant showed significantly positive correlation with genetic distance based on SSR and ISSR markers, but the determination coefficient was low. It appeared to be unsuitable for using the genetic distance based on SSR and ISSR markers to predict heterosis and hybrid performance in Brassica napus.

Relationship Among Yield Components and Selection Criteria for Yield Improvement in Early Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between seed yield and other important agronomic traits of early-maturing rapeseed as a rotation crop in a double-cropping rice area using Pearson＇s correlation coefficient as well as to estimate direct and indirect effects of specific yield component traits on seed yield via path analysis. Nineteen rapeseed genotypes were grown at ten environments in South China during 2008-2009 and 12 characters were evaluated. Analysis of variance showed that environment had a significant impact on all characters. For most characters the genotype by environment interaction was weak and not statistically significant. Simple correlation analysis indicated that the number of primary branches （PB）, number of pods on the main raceme （PR）, and number of seeds per pod made significant contributions to seed yield per plant （SYP）, while 1 000-seed weight was negatively correlated with SYP （r=-0.485, P0.05）. Furthermore, number of pods per plant （PP）, PB, and PR had the greatest direct effects on SYP. In addition, PP and PB were the best indicators to predict seed yield in stepwise regression analysis. Finally, yield component differences between early- and medium-maturity varieties were compared; this showed that to improve the seed yield of early varieties, more emphasis should be given to increase PP, PB, and PR, and reduce plant height and shortening of growth duration in breeding practice.

cDNA-Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis reveals differential gene expression induced by exogenous MeJA and GA_3 in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) flowers

The transition of a plant from vegetative to reproductive stage is controlled by a large group of genes, which respond to environmental and endogenous stimuli. Application of methyl jasmonate （MeJA） and gibberellins （GA3） to oilseed plants （Brassica napus L.） interrupts the delicate endogenous balance and results in various floral organ abnormalities. Exogenous MeJA or GA3 influences the transcriptome at the initial fiowenng stage in Arabidopsis, but the corresponding changes of transcriptome in floral tissues of oilseed rape remain unknown. In this study, cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism （cDNA-AFLP） was analyzed to identify genes whose expression was modulated by application of MeJA and GA3 to flower buds. A total of 2 787 cDNA fragments were counted using 64 primer pair combinations, and bands larger than 50 bp were compared among four treatments, namely, water control, MeJA （50 μmol L-1）, MeJA （100 μmol L-1）, and GA3 （50 μmol L-1）. Overall, 168 transcript-derived fragments （TDFs） were differentially expressed among the treatments. The expression pattern of some TDFs was confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis, and a group of 106 differentially displayed TDFs was cloned and sequenced. Homologs of Arabidopsis genes were identified and classified into 12 functional categories. A total of 34, 39, and 24 TDFs were responsive to GA3, MeJA, and both GA3 and MeJA, respectively. This finding indicated that cross-talk between these two hormones may be involved in regulating flower development. This study provides potential target genes for manipulation in terms of flowering time and floral organ initiation, important agronomic traits of oilseed rape.

Analysis of the Lignin Contents and Related Enzymes Activities in Seed Coat Between Black-Seeded and Yellow-Seeded Rapes (Brassica napus L.)

One pair of near isonegic yellow/black seeded rape （Brassica napus L） were used as experimental materials to study the changes of lignin contents and enzymes activities of 4-coumarate： CoA ligase （4CL）, Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase （CAD） and ferulate 5-hydroxylase （F5H） in seedcoats during the stage of seed development. The variation analysis showed that the changes of lignin contents and enzyme activities of 4CL, CAD and F5H in seed coat had significant differences between black- and yellow-seeded rapes, and also between different development stages. The correlation analysis demonstrated that the lignin contents were positively correlative to the activities of all three enzymes investigated in the study, and the interactions between them in the seed coat of the two lines. For yellow-seeded rape, the correlation coefficient （0.7262018） of lignin content and the interaction between 4CL and F5H was significant, the lignin contents were highly positively correlative to the activities of CAD and F5H, the interaction between 4CL and CAD, and the interaction between CAD and F5H. For the black-seeded rape, only the lignin content was highly positively correlative to the activity of F5H （the correlation coefficient was 0.772949）, the other correlation coefficients, i. e. lignin contents to 4CL, CAD activities, the interactions between the three enzymes were not significant although all the correlation coefficients were above 0.5000. The results suggested that 4CL, CAD and F5H regulated the biosynthesis of lignin in seedcoat of rapes, leading to the lignin contents in the seedcoats of the yellow-seeded rape much lower than that of the black-seeded line, and affecting the thickness of the developing seedcoats in rapes. Therefore, it was likely to change the seedcoat ratio by overexpressing or suppressing the activities of one of the enzymes, both of them or all of them.

Exogenous application of a low concentration of melatonin enhances salt tolerance in rapeseed(Brassica napus L.) seedlings

Melatonin is a naturally occurring compound in plants. Here, we tested the effect of exogenous melatonin on rapeseed（Brassica napus L.） grown under salt stress. Application of 30 μmol L^-1 melatonin alleviated salt-induced growth inhibition, and the shoot fresh weight, the shoot dry weight, the root fresh weight, and the root dry weight of seedlings treated with exogenous melatonin increased by 128.2, 142.9, 122.2, and 124.2%, respectively, compared to those under salt stress. In addition, several physiological parameters were evaluated. The activities of antioxidant enzymes including peroxidase（POD）, catalase（CAT） and ascorbate peroxidase（APX） were enhanced by 16.5, 19.3, and 14.2% compared to their activities in plants without exogenous melatonin application under salt stress, while the H2O2 content was decreased by 11.2% by exogenous melatonin. Furthermore, melatonin treatment promoted solute accumulation by increasing the contents of proline（26.8%）, soluble sugars（15.1%） and proteins（58.8%）. The results also suggested that higher concentrations（〉50 μmol L^-1） of melatonin could attenuate or even prevent the beneficial effects on seedling development. In conclusion, application of a low concentration of exogenous melatonin to rapeseed plants under salt stress can improve the H2O2-scavenging capacity by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as POD, CAT and APX, and can also alleviate osmotic stress by promoting the accumulation of osmoregulatory substances such as soluble proteins, proline, and water soluble glucan. Ultimately, exogenous melatonin facilitates root development and improves the biomass of rapeseed seedlings grown under salt stress, thereby effectively alleviating the damage of salt stress in rapeseed seedlings.

Heterosis for Seed Yield, Oil Content and Other Characters in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Nine inbred lines of rapeseed （Brassica napus L.） used as male were crossed to five recessive genetic male sterile （RGMS） lines used as female to produce 45 single crosses. The crosses, their parents and a check hybrid were tested at two locations during 2007 to 2008 for testing the performance and heterosis of hybrids for seed yield and other characters. Results showed that variations for seed yield, oil content, days to flowering and days to maturity were significant. Mean squares for hybrids were significant for all characters. High heterosis （-4.5%-88.3%）, heterobeltiosis （-15.6%-81.1%） and standard heterosis G34.8%-33.1%） were found for the seed yield. The highest heterosis and heterobeltiosis were found in the cross QH303-4A× 1190. The highest standard heterosis was found in the cross Qianyou8A×Q034. Both positive and negative heterosis of single crosses were detected for the oil content. Small heterosis was found for days to flowering and days to maturity. Among parents, Ⅲ 188, Ⅲ224, and Q034 were proved to be the superior for seed yield when used as parents in most of the hybrid combinations. 2365, Ⅲ224, and QH303-4AB were good for high oil content breeding, Ⅲ 176, 2313 and Qianyou3AB were good for the early hybrid breeding. Total 11 hybrids yielded higher than 2 500 kg·hm^-2 and also gave significantly positive heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis. Among them, 10 crosses gave higher oil content than that of check. These crosses can be used in the future breeding program for the seed yield and the oil content. Two crosses including Qianyou3A × Ⅲ224 and Qianyou3A×2313 can be used for the early breeding program.

Comparison of transcriptomes undergoing waterlogging at the seedling stage between tolerant and sensitive varieties of Brassica napus L.

RNA sequencing of the sensitive GH01 variety of Brassica napus L. seedling roots under 12 h of waterlogging was compared with previously published data of the ZS9 tolerant variety to unravel genetic mechanisms of waterlogging tolerance beyond natural variation. A total of 2 977 genes with similar expression patterns and 17 genes with opposite expression patterns were identiifed in the transcription proifles of ZS9 and GH01. An additional 1 438 genes in ZS9 and 1 861 genes in GH01 showed strain speciifc regulation. Analysis of the overlapped genes between ZS9 and GH01 revealed that waterlogging tolerance is determined by ability to regulate genes with similar expression patterns. Moreover, differences in both gene expression proifles and abscisic acid (ABA) contents between the two varieties suggest that ABA may play some role in waterlogging tolerance. This study identiifes a subset of candidate genes for further functional analysis.

Physiological and anatomical changes in two rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) genotypes under drought stress conditions

Understanding the mechanisms of drought resistance in crop species is crucial for the selection and breeding of tolerant rapeseed(Brassica napus L.)varieties.The present study aimed to assess the physiological and anatomical responses of two rapeseed genotypes,P287(drought-tolerant)and T88(drought-sensitive)under three intensities of drought stress.All physiological and anatomical parameters related to drought acclimation were significantly altered in both genotypes under stress conditions.At the fourth-leaf stage,the relative water content,chlorophyll content,protein content,malondialdehyde content,and the activities of peroxidase and catalase in P287 were significantly higher than those in T88,particularly under severe drought conditions.After rehydration,all physiological indexes recovered rapidly,especially in P287.In addition,under drought stress,compared with T88,P287 had thicker palisade tissue,thinner spongy tissue,higher ratio of chloroplast length to chloroplast width,higher stomatal density and stomatal closure rate.Overall,the interaction between physiological and anatomical features improved the drought tolerance of P287 under drought stress conditions.

Genetic Diversity of Testa Pigments and RAPD Marker of Yellow-Seeded Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

14 yellow-seeded rapeseed lines (Brassia napus L.) from different genetic sources were used to analyze diversity of testa pigments content, oil and protein content, and RAPD markers. The results showed that the anthocyanin and melanin were the most important pigments in testa and their content were responsible for the variation in seed color ranging from orange to black yellow, 14 yellow-seeded lines could be classified into 3 groups: high anthocyanin content group with anthocyanin content over 2. 54 mg g-1 DW, the seed color was light yellow or orange; low pigments content group with low content of anthocyanin and melanin, the testa was transparent and the seed color was light yellow, greenish yellow or twany; high melanin content group with melanin content over 178. 4U(A290nm) , the testa was black, the seed color was black yellow. Oil content changed from 36.2% to 45. 5%, protein content from 21.1% to 27.7% , and the correlation analysis revealed that the oil content is highly significantly negatively correlated with the protein content. The cluster analysis showed that the extensive genetic variation existed among 14 yellow-seeded lines by using unweighted paired group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) based on RAPD markers which were amplified with decamer primers, the genetic similarity among them ranged from 0. 25 to 0.909, and 14 yellow-seeded lines could put into 2 clusters corresponding to genome difference.

Heterosis of Double Low Self-incompatibility in Oilseed Rape(Brassica napus L.)

66 F 1 hybrids, produced by 3 double low self-incompatible lines and 22 varieties with a North Carolina II (NCII) crossing design, were tested for their heterosis in Wuhan, China during two growing seasons from 1999 - 2001. The results showed that significant differences were found between F1s and their parents for yield per plant and seed oil content. Mid-parent heterosis of these two characters ranged from 5.50% -64.11% and from 1.55% -7.44% respectively. Heterosis for seed yield per plant was greater than that of seed oil content. For yield components, heterosis of total number of siliques per plant was the highest, followed by seed number per silique and 1 000 seeds weight. Significant genotype-by-year interaction was found for seed yield per plant. Results from correlation and combining ability analysis indicated that parental effects on its F! hybrid depended on characters, seed yield per plant was affected by both additive and non-additive effects, and seed oil content was affected mainly by additive effect. When designing hybrid programme, parents might be selected by GCAs and variances of SCAs of parents for the characters affected by both additive and non-additive effects, and by the sum of GCAs of female and male parents for the characters mainly affected by additive effects.

Inheritance of Erucic Acid,Glucosinolate,and Oleic Acid Contents in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

This study was conducted to verify the inheritance of certain characters of rapeseed including erucic acid, glucosinolate and oleic acid contents by using generation mean analysis. The cross of lines Ⅲ174×Zi20 （F1）, F2, BC1 （F1×P1）, BC2 （F1×P2）, and parents （P1 and P2） were evaluated in the field. Data were measured on individual plants for oleic acid, erucic acid, and glucosinolate contents. Transgressive variations in F2 population were observed for oleic acid content, indicating that dominance and recessive genes distributed in both parents. Scaling test indicated that the effects of genes controlling these characters did not follow the additivedominance model. The data for three characters were analyzed using six parameter models and found that one or more types of epistatic gene effects were important for glucosinolate content. High broad sense heritabilities were obtained for erucic acid, oleic acid, and glucosinolate contents with the values of 98.97%, 93.68%, and 86.17%, respectively. Two major gene pairs were found to control the expression of erucic acid and oleic acid contents, while three major gene pairs were detected to control glucosinolate content.