Brassica

Brassica breeding and research

Brassica breeding and research

The Brassica breeding program at the University of Idaho conducts ongoing research for alternative crop use within the Pacific Northwest dryland (no irrigation) farming. The overall goal of our breeding program is to develop genetically superior Brassica oilseed and condiment mustard cultivars (Brassica napus, B. juncea, Sinapis alba and others) suitable for a wide range of environments throughout Idaho, the Pacific Northwest and other regions in the United States.  

We work with a number of other disciplines within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences including: plant pathology, horticulture, engineering, agronomy, soil science, entomology and economics. Our primary research area in northern Idaho extends from Bonners Ferry to Grangeville. We also conduct research or collaborate with other researchers in central and eastern Washington, eastern Oregon and in Kalispell, Montana. Farming systems throughout the Palouse and prairie, mostly northwest and central Idaho and northeast Washington are primarily dryland, some areas within central Washington and north-central Oregon are irrigated systems.

Our research:

  • Investigate breeding methodologies and inheritance of important traits in developing new and improved varieties of Brassica crops.
  • Examine and develop procedures to increase breeding efficiency in developing superior Brassica oilseed and condiment cultivars.
  • Develop oilseed Brassica cultivars that produce oil suitable for industrial processing, including high quality biodiesel.
  • Broaden genetic base and introgress insect and disease resistance and other desirable traits into Brassica crops using interspecific and intraspecific hybridization.
  • Develop genotypes of yellow mustard (S. alba) with modified fatty acid oil content, improved oil content and with low glucosinolate content in residual seed meal, i.e. a canola-quality mustard.
  • Develop interspecific and intraspecific hybrid genotypes with designer glucosinolate content and quality suitable as an alternative to highly toxic synthetic soil fumigants.
  • Develop seeding techniques specific to the Pacific Northwest conventional tillage and direct seeding farming practices.

For more information, please contact brassica@uidaho.edu.

For growers

Pacific Northwest variety trials

Increases in field crop yield are the results of a combination of improved agronomic practices and advances in variety development. We evaluate the relative performance of both spring and winter canola and spring mustard varieties at different locations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Varieties tested include commercial cultivars entered by cooperating seed companies, our advanced breeding lines and some standard varieties. Our data is published yearly and available for review by any interested party. Please check back during the following the growing season for our latest updates. The full reports with oil content data are usually posted after the first of the year. 

Variety trial reports

Additional resources

Research and breeding

We are developing superior seed for use as alternative crop rotations in the Pacific Northwest and investigating breeding methodologies and inheritance of important traits to develop new and improved Brassica crop species. We are also examining and developing procedures to increase breeding efficiency to developed superior Brassica oilseed and condiment cultivars. When dealing with an oilseed crop you also need to look at the byproducts, which is the meal. We are developing cultivars with more specific chemical profiles to include the meal as a livestock feed. We are ultimately developing oilseed Brassica cultivars that would be suitable for industrial processing, including high quality biodiesel. 

Canola/rapeseed

The use of rapeseed is the traditional name for the group of oilseed crops in the Brassicaceae family. Rapeseed (Brassica napus or Brassica rapa) can be divided into two types: canola and industrial rapeseed. The two types are distinguished based on their individual chemical or fatty acid profiles, which is the fat molecule. Canola is the new name for the edible oil-crop characterized by low erucic acid (long chain fat found in plants of the mustard family) or L.E.A.R., with less than 2% erucic acid, and less than 30 micromoles glucosinolates (the “hot” in mustard seeds, when this compound is broken down with water it reacts and provides the heat felt on the tongue, characteristic in all Brassicaceae plants).  

Industrial rapeseed is high in erucic acid or H.E.A.R., with greater than 45% erucic acid, and high or low in glucosinolates. Low glucosinolates are preferred for traditional markets to allow the use of the meal as a livestock feed.

Brassica napus, is thought to exist primarily through a natural cross between close relatives, the parents, B. oleracea (cabbage, kale, cauliflower, broccoli) and B. rapa (turnip rape, rapeseed, turnip), B. napus is self-pollinated. It is thought to possibly have existed as a wild escape in the overlap zones of European-Mediterranean areas where the parents originated.

We have developed nine varieties of B. napus, six spring forms and three winter forms specific to growing conditions in the Pacific Northwest. We are developing, through greenhouse and field trials, different varieties for use in different commercial and industrial settings. Some of these uses include cooking, food additives, lubrication, alternative fuel uses and motor oil additives

Mustard

The term mustard is believed to be derived from the use of the seeds as condiment; the sweet “must” of old wine was mixed with crushed seeds to form a paste. It is among the oldest recorded spices, with Sanskrit records dating back to about 3000 B.C. 

Within the condiment mustards all have high glucosinolate levels and the oil is neither canola nor industrial quality. There is yellow mustard (or white mustard), Sinapis alba and oriental mustard, Brassica juncea (yellow and brown seeded varieties) developed between the cross Brassica rapa (canola-cabbage, kohlrabi, etc.) and Brassica nigra (black mustard weed). 

Sinapis alba  — The center of origin is believed to be the eastern Mediterranean, and wild forms occur around most of the Mediterranean littoral, especially in the Aegean (eastern Mediterranean). 

Brassica juncea  — The center of origin is believed to be in central Asia-Himalayas, with migration to secondary centers in India, China and the Caucasus (mountainous region of south-central Russia). 

Mustards have very appealing growing characteristics when compared to canola. They have much higher resistance to insect and disease damage, can grow in the drier areas within the Pacific Northwest and under normal conditions will yield higher. But, the oil quality is lower so value placed on mustard is low. Through interspecific and intergeneric hybridization using the ovary culture and embryo rescue techniques we have taken the desirable traits of this plant and hybridized it to canola to attempt to create a canola-quality oil with higher disease and insect resistance.

Biodiesel

Any vegetable oil can be used as fuel known as biodiesel. You can use fresh pressed oils from seed harvested or you can reuse used fry oil (as in fast food restaurant type oils). There are a variety of reasons certain plant types are used as fuels. Brassicaceae oils are relatively low in saturated fats, have a lower pour or melting point and it has better cold flow properties than soy oils. They are also relatively low in polyunsaturated fats which equals to lower nitrous oxide emissions.

Currently biodiesel is relatively costly compared to petroleum diesel. To reduce the cost, U of I is developing alternative uses of the canola and mustard seed byproducts. To produce biodiesel, you press the seed to extract the oil, the high cost value product. The byproduct is an oil-free seed meal. Meal with low glucosinolate content is livestock feed, which has very low value. High glucosinolate meal from mustards has the potential for use as a bio-fumigant (replacing soil fumigants such as methyl bromide). Soil fumigants have a high value cost associate, which will reduce the price of biofuels.

The performance of many diesel engines has been tested with various forms of biodiesel. Examples include Cummins, Caterpillar, Navistar, Isuzu, John Deere, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen in various forms of biodiesel.

Winter variety

Amanda (canola)

Amanda, Brassica napus L., is a near-homozygous winter rapeseed cultivar with canola-quality seed oil and canola-quality seed meal, selected for high adaptability to the dryland and irrigated regions of the inland Pacific Northwest. Amanda is most similar in plant appearance to the cultivar Athena, but with lower leaves having greater attachment than those of Athena.

Athena (canola)

Athena, Brassica napus L., is a near-homozygous winter rapeseed cultivar with canola-quality seed oil and canola-quality seed meal, selected for high adaptability to the dryland and irrigated regions of the inland Pacific Northwest.

Ericka (canola)

Ericka PVP Certificate no. 9700371. Ericka is a high-yielding, short, early maturing winter Brassica napus canola variety selected for adaptability to the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. Ericka is highly suited for planting into summer fallow, has good adaptability for late planting, and potential for re-cropping in some regions. Ericka is a near pure-line cultivar that was developed by the Canola, Rapeseed & Mustard Breeding Group at the University of Idaho. Over 22 site-years of testing in the Pacific Northwest between 1992 and 1996, Ericka showed, on average, 26% higher yield compared to a control group if six common commercially available winter canola varieties. Oil quality was good, with greater than 60% oleic acid, less than 10% linolenic acid and less than 1% erucic acid. Seed meal is canola quality; averaging less than 12 micromoles of glucosinolate per gram of defatted seed meal. Ericka quickly produces a fall stand, is frost tolerant and winter hardy. The Idaho Research Foundation is soliciting proposals for commercial development of Ericka under license (IRF Case 97-003).

Durola (industrial rapeseed)

Durola, Brassica napus L., is a near-homozygous winter rapeseed cultivar with industrial rapeseed seed oil and canola-quality (i.e., less than 30 μmol g-1 of total seed meal glucosinolates in defatted seed meal) seed meal, selected for high adaptability to the dryland and irrigated regions of the inland Pacific Northwest. After fall seeding, Durola seedlings emerged quickly and produce a good fall stand which was better than Bridger and Dwarf Essex. Durola showed significantly better winter-hardiness than Bridger, which tends to have poor winter hardiness. Flower bloom dates of Durola were 125 Julian days, which was significantly later than Bridger and earlier than Dwarf Essex.

PVP application pending

Selkirk (canola)

Selkirk' winter rapeseed [Brassica napus L. subsp. Oleifera (Metzg.) Sinskaya f. biennis] (Reg. no. CV-13, PI 597351), PVP Certificate no. 9700370 was developed for use as an edible oil-quality (canola) cultivar by the Canola, Rapeseed & Mustard Breeding Group at the University of Idaho, and selected for adaptability to the Pacific Northwest.

Selkirk is a high-yielding, vigorous, mid-late maturing Brassica napus canola variety suitable for fall planting in summer-fallow fields. It is a near pure-line cultivar. Over a total of 22 site-years of testing spanning five seasons from 1992 to 1996 in the Pacific Northwest, the Selkirk yield per acre was 21% higher, on average, than six common commercially available winter canola varieties. Average oil content for Selkirk was slightly higher than Cascade, a widely planted variety, and oil quality was good, with greater than 60% oleic acid, less than 10% linolenic acid and less than 1% erucic acid. Seed meal quality is also good, with less than 50 micromoles of glucosinolates per gram. Selkirk shows good winter hardiness and frost tolerance. The Idaho Research Foundation is soliciting proposals for commercial development of Selkirk under license (IRF Case 97-003). 

Spring variety

Clearwater (canola)

Clearwater, Brassica napus L., was developed for use as an edible oil-quality (canola) cultivar by the Idaho Agricultural Experimental Station. Clearwater is a near pure-line spring canola cultivar which has high resistance to imidazolinone class herbicides.

Garnet (industrial rapeseed)

Garnet a spring rapeseed [Brassica napus L. subsp. oleifera (Metzg.) Sinskaya f. annua], PVP Certification no.9700373. Garnet was developed for use as an industrial oil-quality cultivar by the University of Idaho and selected for adaptability to the Pacific Northwest.

Garnet is a near pure-line spring rapeseed cultivar with erucic acid content in the seed oil and canola-quality seed meal. Over a total of 22 site-years of testing spanning three seasons from 1994-1996, when compared to other commercially available standards. Garnet has average to better seed oil content, but it out yields, and has higher erucic acid content, than the standards. Total seed glucosinolate level was low, averaging 7.2 micromoles de-fatted seed meal.

Gem (industrial rapeseed)

Gem, Brassica napus L., spring rapeseed was developed for use as an industrial oil-quality cultivar by the Idaho Agricultural Experimental Station. Gem is a near pure-line rapeseed which as high resistance to imidazolinone class herbicides.

Sterling (industrial rapeseed)

Sterling is a spring rapeseed [Brassica napus L. subsp. oleifera (Metzg.) Sinskaya f. annua], PVP Certificate no. 9700372. Sterling was developed for use as an industrial oil-quality cultivar by the University of Idaho and selected for adaptability to the Pacific Northwest.

Sterling is a near pure-line spring rapeseed cultivar with high erucic acid content in seed oil and canola-quality meal. Over a total of 22 site-years of testing spanning three seasons from 1994-1996, Sterling was higher yielding at all sites than all commercially available cultivars. Oil content compared well with the highest standard, but with significantly higher erucic acid content. Seed meal quality is also good, glucosinolate levels are lower than the standard of de-fatted meal, with only 10.7 micromoles. On average Sterling flowers and matures earlier than industry standards.

Sunrise (canola)

Sunrise a spring rapeseed [Brassica napus L. subsp. oleifera (Metzg.) Sinskaya f. annua], PVP Certification no.9700369. Sunrise was developed as an edible oil type canola cultivar by the University of Idaho and selected for adaptability to the Pacific Northwest.

Sunrise is a near pure-line spring canola that is short in stature with medium-early maturity. In field trials conducted throughout the Pacific Northwest between 1994 and 1996, Sunrise produced on average 2013 kg ha -1, about the same as the best amongst a control group of seven commercially available varieties commonly grown in the Pacific Northwest. Oil content was similar to the control group, and oil quality was good, with greater than 60% oleic acid, less than 10% linolenic acid, and less then 1% erucic acid. Seed meal glucosinolate content was low, averaging 6.2 micromoles per gram of defatted seed meal. Plants are taller, mature a little later, and mature at about the same time as the industry standards, Springfield and Westar. The Idaho Research Foundation is soliciting proposals for commercial development of Sunrise under license (IRF Case 97-003). 

Mustard varieties

IdaGold

Idagold condiment yellow mustard PVP Certificate no. 9700374: is an open-pollinated Sinapis alba L. cultivar developed by the Canola, Rapeseed & Mustard Breeding Group at the University of Idaho. Idagold was selected for vigorous growth and high yield in the dryland regions of the Pacific Northwest and similar limited-rainfall environments. Over 23 site-years of field trials in the Pacific Northwest, Idagold consistently yielded about 12% higher than other yellow mustard varieties commonly grown in North America (Gisilba and Tilney). Idagold produces large uniform sized seed and bright yellow seed color. The oil fatty acid profile and glucosinolate content of Idagold is similar to Gisilba and Tilney, with 244 micromoles of total glucosinolate per gram of de-fatted meal, with sinalbin glucosinolate accounting for 97% of this. The Idaho Research Foundation is soliciting proposals for commercial development of Idagold under license.

IndiGold

IndiGold is a pure-line (near homozygous) condiment Indian mustard cultivar that was selected for high adaptability to dryland farming regions of northern Idaho and eastern Washington. This cultivar was developed from a single plant selection in 2003 from a population from the cross Pacific Gold/Clearwater, that was thereafter backcrossed twice to Pacific Gold. Pacific Gold is an Indian mustard cultivar developed by the University of Idaho. Clearwater is an imidazolinone tolerant spring canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivar developed by the University of Idaho.

PVP application pending

Kodiak

Kodiak, Brassica juncea L., is a brown condiment India mustard developed for use as a condiment spice by the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. Kodiak is a near homozygous, pure-line condiment brown mustard cultivar that was selected for high adaptability to dryland farming regions of Idaho and eastern Washington.

Pacific Gold

Pacific Gold, Brassica juncea L., was developed as a condiment Oriental style hot mustard, by the University of Idaho, industry standard is Canadian developed Cutlass. Pacific Gold has been grown for specific use for Pacific Northwest growers and conditions in Pacific Northwest Variety trials through six growing seasons 1996-2002. Both oil content and seed size was significantly higher than the standard Cutlass. Pacific Gold is also taller, plants emerge quickly and crop establishment is rapid. Glucosinolate seed meal content is significantly higher in Pacific Gold, 303 micromoles of de-fatted seed meal compared to 216 micromoles in Cutlass. Investigation of the use of Pacific Gold in trials related to pest and disease control has begun based on the glucosinolate profiles of this variety, 99% of the total glucosinolate content is 2-propenyl.

White Gold

White Gold is a yellow condiment spice mustard, Sinapis alba L., cultivar developed for use as a condiment spice by the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station and released in April 2014. White Gold is an open-pollinated cultivar selected for high adaptation to the dry-land environments of the Pacific Northwest (Idaho, Oregon and Washington). The cultivar was developed from a population selected from an accession (SIN 32/77) supplied by the Central Institute of Genetics and Crop Plant Research in the German Democratic Republic (DDR), now the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research. The original breeding population was evaluated in the field during 1994, and further replicated field evaluation began using this seed source in 1995. After the initial evaluation, the population was re-designated as SN-3277 (i.e. Sinapis alba 3277) and later as UI.3277.

UI.3277 was evaluated as a bulk population over four years in local yield trials and thereafter tested in the Pacific Northwest Regional Mustard Variety Trials (PNWMVT) from 1998-2001. Throughout this time the population bulk showed good adaptability with yield potential, bright colored large yellow seeds and with good pungency.

PVP application pending

CALS people and EXT people

Kamal Khadka

Assistant professor