Accumulation of oil and protein in seeds of canola (Brassica napus L.) varieties at different sowing dates

摘要

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is an important oilseed crop in Australian dryland farming system and high oil concetation of seed is demanded by growers and markets. This study reports experiments investigating the accumulations of oil, protein and structural material (dry matter excluding oil and protein) in the seeds of canola cultivars of Monty and Karoo at two sowing dates. The amount of oil and protein were measured in developing seeds ranging from 27 to 85 days after flowering. Post-anthesis environments have much greater impact than varieties on the patterns of accumulation, although oil concentration of Monty was higher than that of Karoo. The amount of oil, protein and structural material accumulated faster in the seeds at 2nd sowing than that at the 1st sowing. Second sowing of Monty plants also produced 47.7 mg oil whilst 1st sowing produced 41.2 mg oil. Oil accumulated faster than protein and structural material from 56 to 78 days after flowering, and slowed down afterwards.