Winter Canola Is the Potential Source of the Development of High Seed Yield Spring Canola.

Increased seed yield in rapeseed/canola is an important breeding objective for the growers and seed industry. Winter type canola produces over two-fold seed yield compared to spring type canola. Because of severe winter hardiness, spring type canola is a strategic crop of great importance to North Dakota. From a breeding and genetics point of view, spring type canola can be improved for seed yield by the introgression of favorable yield contributing characters from the winter types to create new spring canola germplasm. Crosses were made between winter and spring type canola. The F₁, F₂ and backcross progenies were grown in the growth chamber and the greenhouse of North Dakota State University. The vernalization requirement to flower was observed a recessive trait. Data on days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length, root length, dry stem weight, dry root weight, and seed yield per plant were recorded. The winter parent showed a vigorous root system. The F₂ and backcross population segregated with various root length and root mass. Positive significant correlations were found between number of pods/plant and seed yield/plant, number of branches/plant and seed yield/plant, number of branches/plant and number of pods/plant. Root length has positive significant correlation with several characters such as, seed yield/plant, number of pods/plant, days to flowering, and days to maturity.