OREGIN Diversity Demonstration Trials (2009-2011)


Downloads for Winter 2009-2010 and Spring 2010 trials

Background
The OREGIN project has assembled key genetic resources to enable researchers and breeders to explore the relevant gene-pool for enhanced traits to incorporate into breeding programmes. This includes establishing Diversity Fixed Foundation Sets for B. napus (BnaDFFS links to brassica.info). The set of founder lines within the BnaDFFS was compiled to represent a structured sampling of the genetic diversity across the global B. napus genepool, and to encompass winter and spring OSR, swedes, and fodder, forage and salad kales. UK oilseed breeders are currently assisting with completing single-seed descent (SSD) fixation, and bulking of fixed lines.

At present there is little baseline information available that describes the plant performance and properties of the fixed lines. As a result OREGIN is establishing small-scale demonstration trials and trait assessments for the BnaDFFS. Due to limited resources, the initial focus will be on assessment (not detailed sampling in depth) of a limited number of component traits affecting yield, harvest index and nitrogen utilisation efficiency (NUE), and their impact on seed composition. Component traits will include mineral uptake, assessment of crop establishment and architecture and seed composition.

These demonstration field trials are being carried out at Rothamsted Research over two seasons (2009/10; 2010/11) on two levels of nitrogen input. This will provide preliminary information from direct measurements on field grown plants. In addition, representative samples of plant tissue and seed will be collected from the experimental plots for archiving. These will be available for subsequent off-site analysis such as isotope discrimination, e.g. to inform studies on water use efficiency (WUE). Soil samples could also be collected in conjunction with other funded projects. The provision of a common set of material and baseline data will facilitate determination of inter-relationships between different trait components across the genepool, and should provide sufficient information to enable design of more focused projects based on particular subsets of BnaDFFS lines, facilitating pre-breeding of additional traits.

Access
A key feature of the OREGIN diversity demonstration trials is that they are available for use by the research community. We strongly encourage anyone who wishes to view, score or sample from the plots, to discuss this  with representatives of the OREGIN Management Committee, and in particular with Jackie Barker or Graham King at Rothamsted. We are happy to work with individual research teams to help provide access to the material and associated trait score datasets.

Design
For the 2009/2010 trials, lines were selected from the BnaDFFS based upon seed availability and genetic status. Parental genotypes for the OREGIN new mapping populations (current OREGIN project) and two outliers from a hydroponic germplasm screen for variation in nitrogen uptake (previous OREGIN project; report available here), were included regardless of their genetic status, and if seed were available.

For the Winter trial 2009/10, 61 Winter varieties (48 WOSR, 8 fodder/forage/salad kales, 4 swede, 1 synthetic) are included, see line list Excel file. The trial was drilled by KWS on 28/08/2009.

The control line, to assess variation across the trial, is Temple. This HGCA Recommended List variety has good yield, NUE, light leaf spot resistance, stem stiffness and resistance to lodging. Temple is also the maternal parent for the OREGIN new mapping populations.

In addition, 10 winter OSR lines, previously characterised in the Defra-LINK project ‘Breeding oilseed rape with a reduced requirement for nitrogen fertiliser’ (LK0979; NUE LINK) and five lines that vary in PUE from China, are included for comparison.

For the Spring trial 2010, 23 Spring varieties (22 SpOSR/1 spring forage rape) were selected from the BnaDFFS, see list line list Excel file. The trial was hand-sown to allow for a similar row-plot layout to that of the winter trial on 08/04/2010, together with the control line, Heros, from the HGCA recommended list. Heros has a proven track record of consistently high gross output, high oil content combined with high seed yields and has a good all-round agronomic package.

A randomised complete block design was used for both Winter and Spring trials, see plot layout Excel file

Additional information: Trait scores and sampling
A record of the basic properties of each accession within the BnaDFFS will help to classify the different subsets, and interpret the trait variation in the context of the phenology of the plants grown under comparative field conditions. A limited range of sampling, trait scores and measurements will be carried out by the OREGIN project team. These will include: Additional assessments include: Data associated with these scores will be collated and curated within the CropStoreDB data management pipeline, and made available via this website. We will update the trait list above with any additional scores or sampling being carried out by other members of the research community. Samples will be archived so that they are available for later use should the need arise.

Timetable

timetable


Contact


For more information about the OREGIN Diversity Demonstration Trials, please contact Jackie Barker.




This Page Was Last Edited: 23-May-2010