A chlorophyll-reduced seedling mutant in oilseed rape, Brassica napus, forutilization in F-1 hybrid production

A mutant chlorophyll-reduced (Cr) seedling with yellow-green cotyledons and leaves was obtained from the Brassica napus inbred line 3529 induced by fa st neutron and diethyl sulphate (DES). Genetic analysis revealed that the C r seedling marker trait was controlled by a pair of recessive genes. A rand omized complete block design was used to evaluate its agronomic performance . Results from 2 years of tests indicated that the seed yield of Cr lines w as significantly lower than that of normal green plants; however, when the Cr gene was in the heterozygous condition, no deleterious effects on yield characteristics and disease resistance were observed. The Cr seedling marke r trait was introduced into male-sterile lines, and Cr male-sterile lines r evealed the same superior combining ability as normal chlorophyll (Nc) line s. The Cr trait can therefore be used as a marker to produce hybrid seed.