Identification of molecular markers associated with oleic and linolenic acid in spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

The quality of the oil derived from oilseed rape is determined by its fatty acid composition. Breeding oilseed rape for enhanced oil quality includes the development of cultivars with high oleic and low linolenic acid. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) techniques were investigated for the development of molecular markers for genes controlling oleic and/or linolenic acid. Markers that were identified were converted to sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers for use in breeding. Molecular markers associated with these two fatty acids were identified in a doubled haploid population derived from a cross between the oilseed rape lines TO99-5318-20, very high oleic (> 79%) and very low linolenic acid (< 2%) x DH12075, high oleic (68%) and higher linolenic acid (> 7%). Eight RAPD markers were associated with oleic and linolenic acid contents. The RAPD marker UBC 2(830) accounted for 43% and 13% of the genetic variation for oleic and linolenic acid levels, respectively. The RAPD marker UBC 153(550) accounted for 19% of the genetic variation for linolenic acid. The UBC 2(830) fragment was converted to a SCAR marker. The markers identified in this study should be useful tools for the early generation selection of high oleic and low linolenic acid genotypes in oilseed rape breeding programmes.