Determining source to sink relationships in canola and identifying exploitable genetic diversity

Canola is Australia’s third most valuable crop and is also the most important break crop for Australian wheat production. It was first introduced into the high rainfall zones of Australia and has now expanded to the low and medium rainfall zones (Zhang et al 2016). The physiological framework for crop yield improvement in many crops is generally well established and has been used to direct R&D approaches to improve water-limited yield potential for some time; however, understanding and application varies between crops. In wheat for example, the key drivers are well understood and have been manipulated for yield improvement in different target production environments, whereas canola which is a younger crop in Australia in comparison, the key drivers for WLYP are not so well understood.

One area of improvement of WLYP is the source to sink relationship in canola between the above ground biomass and seed yield. Biomass and harvest index (HI) are key drivers of grain yield in canola. Breeding and agronomic practices have increased biomass of Australian canola over the last decade, however, low efficiency of the plant to convert biomass into grain (low HI) has slowed the advances of grain yield and potential profitability. Research using limited varieties has shown that there is significant variability in the level of biomass at flowering and the level of yield which can be achieved, however further research is required to determine what traits are having the greatest impact.

Through this investment we want to define the canola genetic factors that impact on growth in the critical period and what influences seed number and size in target production zones. For example, an understanding of the role and production of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in the plant and their availability during the critical period for movement to the seed may be of importance to improving the ratio of biomass to seed yield, or harvest index (HI). Whilst determining the genetic factors that impact growth, seed number, size and quality in the critical period it will also be important that there is an understanding of how agronomic practices may impact these traits.

Please note the following:

GRDC’s strategic partnership, Analytics for the Australian Grains Industry (AAGI), can offer the following analytics support as a GRDC in-kind contribution: advice regarding field experimental and sampling designs and statistical genetic analyses. AAGI can also support the analysis of high-throughput data. To access this support, applicants must enquire with AAGI directly and describe the proposed support scope in their tender. The tender description should include an estimate of workload and in-kind valuation provided by AAGI. Please make enquiries to the University of Queensland, AAGI@uq.edu.au, attention Elizabeth Meier. Successful applicants will be required to complete an Analytical Collaboration Plan to specify the analytics support AAGI will provide. A sample Plan template is available from AAGI. Please note, applicants that decline AAGI support must provide a technical and value-for-money rationale for not using in-kind AAGI support.

• Collaboration between research organisations, breeding companies and industry is encouraged. All collaborations should designate a lead organisation as per the Tender Terms and Conditions.
• Co-investment from research partners is highly valued. Please see the budget template for definitions of cash and in-kind contribution.