Genetic study on Brassica rapa and Brassica napus for seed color and identification of molecular markers

Yellow seed in Brassica oilseed crops is favoured for its association with lower fibre and higher oil contents. Yellow-seeded Brassica napus lines have been developed through introgression of this trait from its allied species; however, the trait in B. napus is often influenced by environmental conditions. The yellow seed color of 'yellow sarson' (B. rapa) is stable under wide environments, and can be used in the breeding of yellow-seeded B. rapa and B. napus cultivars. In this study, the major seed color locus of B. rapa has been mapped, and several SSR markers linked to the yellow seed color allele of 'yellow sarson' were identified for use in marker assisted breeding. Additionally, genetic relationship between two yellow-seeded B. napus lines was investigated by use of doubled haploid and pedigree populations. Transgressive segregation for seed color in these populations suggests different genetic control of seed color in these two lines.