Analysis of the relationship between seed coat color genes and oil concentration in Brassica species through gene cloning

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Canola (Brassica napus) contributes over $14 billion to Canadian economy annually. Since yellow-seeded oilseed in Brassica species is associated with higher oil concentrations (3-5%), development of yellow-seeded canola cultivars will enhance canola oil production and significantly benefit the Canadian economy. The molecular mechanism underlying the contribution of individual seed coat color genes on oil concentration in Brassica species needs to be elucidated. After the genes underpinning natural mutations are characterized, these known genes will accelerate the development of yellow seeded B. napus canola hybrid cultivars. Ultimately, deployment of yellow-seeded canola will increase canola oil production. My objectives are to clone and characterize seed coat color genes controlling natural yellow-seeded mutations in B. rapa and determine their effect on oil concentrations under field conditions. Mapped based gene cloning will be used to identify the yellow seed coat color genes. These newly cloned seed coat color genes in B. rapa will be used to develop single gene lines in the same genetic background. These single gene lines with the same genetic background will allow characterizing effectively the relationship of seed coat color genes and oil concentrations using multiple year-location field trials, which will allow analyzing accurately the effect of each individual gene on oil concentration under natural conditions. RNA-seq technology will be used to perform gene expression profiling of developing seeds from single gene lines in the same genetic background and parental lines. This analysis will allow identifying the genes involved in the pathways related to oil accumulation during seed development. The novelty of this proposal is to perform gene functional analysis using a real crop and understand the mechanism underlying an important phenomenon in Brassica species using genomics tools. The results in gene cloning and functional analysis can be used by the canola industry to develop yellow-seeded canola cultivars and eventually to increase canola oil production in Canada.