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May 16, 2002
New, locally adapted lines of oil
producing mustard Brassica juncea go under test in north
west New South Wales (NSW) and south west Queensland this winter
as the search continues for oilseed crop options that suit
northern growing conditions.
While that search has concentrated on closely related canola
(Brassica napus), which reached around 30,000 hectares of
commercial plantings in 2001, NSW Agriculture and CSIRO trials
in recent years have included mustard and compared its
performance to canolašs.
Michael Robertson, who leads CSIRO brassica research in
Queensland, says the canola/mustard trials in this state have
concentrated in the Maranoa, around Roma, and the western downs
around Goondiwindi, where there has been most interest in the
oilseed crop.
Dr Robertson says the Queensland trials have confirmed that
mustard will show its agronomic value in drought conditions,
with currently available varieties of canola outperforming it in
more favourable seasons.
He says well adapted, early maturing canola varieties have
outyielded the trial mustard lines in a majority of trials,
although particular plots of mustard have yielded a very
respectable two tonnes to the hectare.
"The oil content of mustard has also been a shade lower than
canola grown under similar conditions," Dr Robertson said.
"Available lines also have a low harvest index, producing a lot
more stem and leaf than canola. The breeders know that and,
while they are focusing on oil quality for the moment, plant
structure will be their next priority, seeking to make Brassica
juncea less stemmy.
The four new trial lines come from the Victorian Department of
Natural Resources and Environment breeding program which like
the NSW Agriculture and CSIRO/Queensland research are
supported by graingrowers and the Federal Government through
The Grains Research &
Development Corporation (GRDC).
Breeding program leader Wayne Burton is looking to Brassica
juncea genetics from Canada, where the first canola quality
varieties have just been released.
Mr Burton says the Australia program has been working to adapt
the Canadian genetic material for conditions here, with this
yearšs trial lines the first likely to deliver the same oilseed
characteristics as canola.
Depending on trial results, an Australian juncea variety for the
drier areas of the grain belt could be ready for commercial
production in about two years,
Mr Burtonšs priorities for Brassica juncea research include
development of molecular markers to speed up the breeding
process and resistance to white rust and alternaria diseases,
which have the potential to become more of a problem as juncea
is planted more widely.
"Brassica juncea is very resistant to the blackleg fungus. In
fact we are using it as a source of resistance for blackleg in
canola," Mr Burton said.
The Crop Doctor, Professor John Lovett, is managing director of
The Grains Research &
Development Corporation (GRDC)
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