Position paper
15/7/15
Delivering impact in agriculture and food security from Brassica research
Ian Bancroft and Graham Teakle
With input to drafting from: David Pink (Harper-Adams U.), Martin Broadley (U. Nottingham), Sue
Armstrong on behalf of U. Birmingham, Pat Heslop-Harrison (U. Leicester), Sue Kennedy (Elsoms
Seeds Ltd.), Tom Wood on behalf of NIAB, Pete Berry (ADAS), Yongju Huang on behalf of U.
Hertfordshire, John Hammond (U. Reading), Sarah Ayling (TGAC), Graham Teakle on behalf of U.
Warwick, Lars Ostergaard on behalf of JIC.
This paper considers the potential for impact on agriculture and food security of UK research on
brassica crops. It has been informed by inputs from the relevant research and wider stakeholder
communities.
The paper summarises the background to brassica crops in the UK, the genetic resources and
technologies available, and the opportunities they present. It proposes a strategy for delivering
impact from current and future research, highlighting the need for pre-breeding activities to
demonstrate the efficacy of potentially valuable improvements in sustainability or quality traits in
genetic backgrounds useful to commercial breeders and adapted for cultivation in UK conditions.
The proposed strategy comprises four pillars: community and coordination activities, a genomics
platform, a germplasm platform, and exemplar projects to address priority traits identified by the
community.
1
Summary of key points

Brassica crops impact substantially on the UK economy (oilseed rape is the UK’s third most
valuable crop at ~£700m; the combined production value of cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage
and Brussels sprout is ~£230m) and the rural environment (oilseed rape has been
cultivated on ~700k hectares in recent years; vegetable brassicas on ~30k hectares).

The UK Brassica Research Community has met annually since 2004. It consists of a wide
range of research groups, breeders and end-users, has a mailing list of >180 members and
its website provides details of projects, resources and the interests of its members.

Although relatives of the key reference plant species Arabidopsis thaliana, the greatly
increased genetic complexity of Brassica species necessitates the development of
resources and analysis of traits in the crop species themselves.

A common data model is emerging, improving access to key datasets for use by both
academic researchers and industry.

There is the opportunity for breeders to exploit broader genetic diversity than that available
within the cultivated species themselves by the traditional (i.e. non-GM) approach of
hybridization with other members of the Brassiceae tribe to introduce traits and alleles not
available in the Brassica genus.

Plants derived from inter-specific hybridization events lose many key attributes of the crop
and are very difficult for breeders to work with directly, so “pre-breeding” activities involved
in proving benefits of novel sources of genetic variation in highly-adapted crop genetic
backgrounds is the key gap to be addressed and should be the principal focus of a new
impact delivery strategy in Brassica crops.

A strategy can be envisaged to support an efficient and coherent approach to a Brassica
pre-breeding programme that complement activities that can be supported through existing
mechanisms and involves four pillars: (1) Overarching activities to promote interaction and
knowledge exchange. (2) Continuation and further development of a Brassica genomics
platform. (3) Continuation and further development of a Brassica germplasm platform. (4)
Impact-oriented pre-breeding exemplar projects.
2
1. Background to Brassica crops in the UK
1.1 Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is the UK’s third most valuable crop at ~£700m p.a. and its
principal oil crop. The environmental footprint of the crop is substantial, being cultivated on
~700,000 ha in recent years and currently requiring relatively high fertiliser inputs to underpin
yield. Its popularity in the arable rotation can be attributed largely to its beneficial impact on the
yield of following cereal crops. Rapeseed is a commodity crop, with major centres of
production being China, Canada and the EU, each of which has developed its own adapted
types (with semi-winter, spring and winter growth habits, respectively). The UK provides an
exceptionally good climate for rapeseed, with estimated yield potential of ~9 t/ha (although
national yields are in the region of ~3.5 t/ha). The main driver is production of healthy edible oil
(low in saturated fatty acids), but rapeseed oil is used extensively in biodiesel and the proteinrich meal co-product is used in feed, thus UK-produced rapeseed reduces imports of both
vegetable oil and feed. There is potential for higher-value industrial uses, for example in
applications such as lubricants and hydraulic fluids, to which it brings advantages of low toxicity
and biodegradability. A key barrier to commercial investment in the development of rapeseed
varieties that can be grown sustainably, cost-effectively and with greater yield (which has
increased little over the last 20 years) is volatility of the price of rapeseed oil, which has varied
almost 2-fold over the last 5 years, between $770 and $1440 per tonne. Thus research of
relevance for rapeseed improvement maps perfectly onto BBSRC’s mission of supporting the
bioeconomy via investment in strategic priority areas of both food security and industrial
biotechnology.
1.2 The horticultural brassicas encompass a number of crops from three species. The B. oleracea
crop types are cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, greens, kale, kohl rabi and
purple sprouting and tenderstem broccoli. The B. rapa crop types include turnip and pak choi
and choi sum. The vegetable B. napus crop type is swede. These crops cover a huge diversity
in morphology, representing root, leaf, stem and heading forms, leading to the brassicas
sometimes being referred to as the ‘domesticated dog of the plant world.’ Most are grown for
human consumption, but some are grown for animal fodder/forage. In addition to these, some
mustard Brassica types are grown for food whilst others are grown as green manure because
of their biofumigant properties that aid soil conditioning by reducing soil-borne diseases. The
vegetable brassicas represent an important source of nutrition on all continents, and are eaten
in a wide variety of fresh, fermented and processed forms. According to Defra statistics, in the
UK the combined production in 2013 was over 400,000 tonnes from nearly 30,000 ha. The
combined production value of cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprout was £227
million. These crops therefore represent a very significant contribution to the UK economy and
to rural employment. In the last thirty years broccoli has gained market share, however, there
has been a decline in the production of most of the other crops, particularly cabbage, with the
peak in production in the 1980s and early 1990s when in combination over 1 million tonnes
were produced from about 50,000 ha. The crops produced are predominantly for domestic use
with a small proportion being used for export. However, domestic production is currently not
matching requirements, especially for broccoli and cauliflower where imports have grown from
less than 60,000 tonnes to over 180,000 tonnes at a cost of nearly £140 million. While
cauliflowers can be harvested on every day of the year somewhere in the UK, broccoli
production has a restricted season and the imports are meeting the year-round demand by
consumers.
3
1.3 Human health benefits are an increasing factor for consumers and one that is increasing in
prominence for brassica vegetables which can make a contribution to the recommended 5-aday. In many nutrition studies brassicas have been shown to provide beneficial cardiovascular
and anticancer properties and many diets incorporate brassicas as key components. Different
brassica vegetables are differentially rich in a range of vitamins, fibre and other bioactive
compounds, such as antioxidants, and are sometimes referred to as a superfood (broccoli is
listed on an NHS list of superfoods). Glucosinolates, and glucoraphanin in particular, has been
the focus of much research to provide the necessary evidence to support specific marketing
health claims. However, it is very likely that other as yet undefined compounds also have
important roles in health and additional research is required to verify this.
1.4 The Brassica crop species, like the widely studied plant Arabidopsis thaliana, are members of
the Brassicaceae family, which is rich in genetic, metabolic and morphological diversity.
Brassica napus is a recently-formed polyploid derived by hybridization of B. rapa (which
contributed the A genome) and B. oleracea (which contributed the C genome), each of which
themselves possess extensively triplicated genomes indicative of their derivation from a
hexaploid ancestor. Thus, a gene in A. thaliana is expected to have multiple orthologues in B.
napus and each gene in the Brassica A genome is likely to have a corresponding gene, termed
a homoeologue, of very similar sequence in the Brassica C genome. Several groups in the UK
and abroad have demonstrated the power of “translating” knowledge gained from Arabidopsis
to modulate traits in Brassica. However, the genome complexity in many instances makes the
exploitation of molecular genetic approaches difficult and necessitates the development of
resources and analysis of traits in the crop species themselves.
1.5 In addition to oilseed rape of distinct growth habits, B. napus crops include the root vegetable
swede, kale types and fodder types, providing significant genetic diversity within the species,
upon which rapeseed breeders currently draw. Genetic diversity in its progenitor species can
be exploited via hybridization to “re-synthesise” B. napus, or by hybridization directly between
B. napus and one of its progenitor species. There is also the opportunity for breeders to exploit
broader genetic diversity by the traditional (i.e. non-GM) approach of hybridization of the
cultivated Brassica species with other members of the Brassiceae tribe to introduce traits and
alleles not available in the genus. An example of this is introduction of the Ogura cytoplasmic
male sterility system, derived from Raphanus (radish) that is now very widely exploited in F1
hybrid rapeseed varieties, which are much favoured by breeders over “open pollinated”
varieties. Another example is the development of high glucoraphanin broccoli, which involved
inter-specific hybridization between broccoli (a B. oleracea crop type) and Brassica villosa in
the 1990s and has only very recently set the precedent that conventionally-bred novel varieties
can be protected by patents (https://www.jic.ac.uk/news/2015/03/landmark-case-benefortebroccoli-patent/). Recent advances in sequence-based genomics, including technologies
rooted in BBSRC-funded research (e.g. Bancroft et al. Nature Biotechnology 29:762-6, 2011;
Harper et al. Nature Biotechnology 30:798-802, 2012) provide an opportunity for the efficient
and predictive exploitation of genetic diversity available across Brassica and related species.
This is important as oilseed rape requires genetic improvement in many respects (a selection
of which are listed in Annex 1).
4
1.6 Genetic resources for the horticultural Brassica species can be conceptually divided into elite
varieties, breeding germplasm, older varieties and historical landraces. In addition, the wild
species relatives genepool represents a largely untapped resource of useful alleles. The older
germplasm and wild species are collected and curated in genebanks, with the UK vegetable
Brassica collection being the responsibility of the Genetic Resources Unit (GRU) at Warwick
University. This manages ~6000 Brassica accessions which are available to breeders and
researchers under the International seed Material Transfer Agreement (sMTA). While
genomics technology is advancing rapidly, it is currently still not cost effective to genotype all
these accessions nor is it feasible to phenotype them all. To address this Defra, through the
Vegetable Genetic Improvement Network (VeGIN), and its predecessor projects, has identified
core collections of several hundred lines to represent the maximal genetic diversity in a usable
number of lines. Genebank accessions, particularly vegetable brassicas which are inherently
outbreeding, are generally very heterogeneous and heterozygous which adds variability to trait
genetic analysis. To address this, a set of homozygous doubled haploid (DH) lines have been
developed though microspore culture for the cultivated vegetable brassicas (known as the B.
oleracea Diversity Fixed Foundation Set; BolDFFS). An additional set of DH lines have also
been developed from a panel of wild C genome Brassica species (BCgDFFS), after first
crossing to a rapid cycling Brassica line, and these are being used in several projects to search
for new beneficial traits.
1.7 Other sets of genetic resources are available or under development and highly valuable for trait
genetic analysis in Brassica species. These include several public domain DH mapping
populations (notably the AGDH and TBDH populations derived from crosses between broccolis
and a rapid cycling Brassica) and their associated genetic maps. Targeting Induced Local
Lesions in Genomes (TILLING) populations in the diploid Brassica species B. rapa and B.
oleracea and in B. napus were developed at the John Innes Centre (JIC). 1,056 lines of the B.
rapa population were re-sequenced by exome capture, and the community will soon be able to
screen the population online for mutations in genes of interest. Another technology platform is
the BRACT transformation service (www.bract.org) at JIC where efficient transformation of a B.
oleracea and a B. napus genotype is routine and B. rapa can also be transformed. This service
represents an important capability for gene function testing. TILLING and transformation
resources are available to the community on a cost-recovery basis.
1.8 Data management for the Brassica community has in the past been conducted largely via sortterm grant funding related to specific projects. More recently, a Common Data Model is being
established, led primarily by TGAC, but integrated with related data managed elsewhere (e.g.
EBI).
2. A new impact delivery strategy for Brassica crops
2.1 The UK Brassica Research Community (UK-BRC) has met annually since 2004. It consists of a
wide range of research groups, breeders and other end-users, holds annual meetings of
academic and industry-based scientists, and operates a mailing list of >180 members. The UKBRC website (http://ukbrc.org.uk/) provides details of research projects, resources and
interests of its members. The UK-BRC plays a prominent role in the
international Brassica research
community,
such
as
significant
involvement
in
5
the Multinational Brassica Genome Project (http://www.brassica.info/). Academic and industry
stakeholders in rapeseed genetic improvement have convened at annual stakeholder fora
since 2003. These regular interactions, supported as part of the Defra-funded Oilseed Rape
Genetic Improvement Network (OREGIN) until early 2017, have fostered a collegiate
environment for productive engagement between industry and academia and led to worldleading collaborative brassica research and key underpinning resources including public
genome sequences for B. rapa, B. oleracea and B. napus, and public genetic diversity panels
for B. napus and B. oleracea enhanced by functional genotypes in production as part of the
BBSRC Renewable Industrial Products from Rapeseed (RIPR) Programme.
2.2 The challenge now is to leverage efficiently UK resources and know-how to enable brassica
crops to fulfil their potential and deliver impact upon the UK bio-economy. Although UK-based
brassica crop research is internationally competitive, there are gaps and challenges (which are
summarised in Annex 2). Many breeders undertake varietal trials in the UK, however there is
relatively little active breeding of new oilseed rape varieties in the UK with much of this activity
now undertaken by multinational companies based outside the UK. The breeding that is
conducted, by economic necessity, is focussed on exploiting genetic resources that are
relatively easy to work with and, for rapeseed, addressing the requirements of varietal
acceptance onto the HGCA Recommended List (http://www.hgca.com/varieties.aspx). There
are several companies breeding vegetable brassicas, but again the multinationals have a major
role in the market. The range of genetic diversity within each vegetable Brassica crop type is
generally considered to be limited due to the challenges of recovering marketable crop quality
after performing wide crosses. The consequences are that the industry is unable to work on the
broad range of traits of potential benefit for environmental and economic sustainability without
the trait improvement involved first having been demonstrated very clearly in well-adapted
near-elite standard material that breeders can easily work with for the development of new
varieties. The “pre-breeding” activities involved in proving benefits of novel sources of genetic
variation in highly-adapted crop genetic backgrounds is the key gap to be addressed and
should be the principal focus of a new impact delivery strategy in Brassica crops.
2.3 Pre-breeding activities were a key gap for impact delivery in wheat and the BBSRC-funded
Wheat
Improvement
Strategic
Programme
(WISP;
http://www.wheatisp.org/Consortium/WISP.php) is an excellent example of how to successfully
address the corresponding problem in that crop. It involves the 5 UK institutions with the
strongest wheat programmes and provides an excellent exemplar for how co-ordinated,
inclusive pre-breeding activities can underpin impact upon the bio-economy. The wheat and
Brassica communities and their available resources differ considerably, however, the smaller
size of the brassica breeding industry together with the more dispersed nature of an impactfocussed Brassica academic community with a strong track record of successful collaboration,
has resulted in more advanced genomic resources already developed and a greater breadth of
conventionally-accessible genetic diversity available to underpin Brassica crop research.
3. Brassica pre-breeding programme
3.1 The BBSRC-funded Brassica genome sequencing project (BB/E017363/1) contributed to the
development of genome sequences for B. rapa, B. oleracea and B. napus, organised relative to
6
the genetic linkage maps of the species, while the Defra VeGIN project also contributed
significantly to the B. oleracea genome sequence. This provides an extensive genomic
framework for the Brassica species cultivated in the UK. Although there are overlaps, the
drivers for crop improvement differ between rapeseed and the horticultural brassicas. An
optimum strategy for impacting the bio-economy must recognise and respect those differences,
whilst ensuring that resources and expertise are deployed flexibly across the two where
appropriate. A strategy can be envisaged to support an efficient and coherent approach to
Brassica pre-breeding via a program that involves four pillars: (1) Overarching activities to
promote knowledge exchange via interaction and the exchange of ideas, resource and staff, in
addition to efficient management of the project and integration with international activities. (2)
Continuation and further development of a Brassica genomics platform. (3) Continuation and
further development of a Brassica germplasm platform. (4) Impact-oriented pre-breeding
exemplar projects. This should complement activities that can be supported through existing
mechanisms, such as sLoLa and ISP schemes.
Pillar 1: Community and coordination activities
3.2 The support from Defra since 2004 for community-building events and resources (via OREGIN
and VeGIN) has resulted in an extensive network of links and collaborations both between
academic groups and between academics and industry stakeholders. This support continues
until early 2017.
Support for events such as UK-BRC meetings and problem-focussed
stakeholder events should continue as they provide an excellent mechanism for bringing
together consortia to undertake multidisciplinary activities focussed on impact delivery. Active
support for knowledge exchange, coordination and strategic leadership is increasingly
important as the community undertaking impact-orient research in Brassica crops is dispersed
extensively across HEIs and BBSRC Institutes.
Pillar 2: Genomics platform
3.3 Recent BBSRC and TSB-funded projects (BB/H004351/1; TSB 5020-40163; ERAPG08.008)
established a new genomics technology for associating trait variation in rapeseed with both
gene sequence variation and gene expression variation, termed Associative Transcriptomics.
The BBSRC-funded sLoLa RIPR (BB/L002124/1), which runs to December 2018, exploits this
technology by deployment across a publicly-available B. napus genetic diversity panel of
almost 400 accessions, named the ASSYST panel. It achieves this via a genomics platform
based on a pan-genome gene set (comprising gene models interpolated and aligned across
the Brassica A genome as represented in B. rapa and B. napus, the Brassica B genome as
represented in B. nigra and the Brassica C genome as represented in B. oleracea and B.
napus), which is capable of underpinning “omics” studies across all cultivated Brassica species
and close relatives, as well as the identification and development of both SNP and gene
expression-based molecular markers. The recent extension of the Defra-funded OREGIN
project, which runs from 2015 to 2017, exploits the ASSYST panel to address plant diseaserelated traits using the genomics platform established and operated within RIPR, and a range
of further traits are also being addressed using the RIPR genomics platform. Ongoing BBSRCfunded work as part of an ERA-CAPS project (BB/L027844/1) has developed tools to enable
the identification, visualisation and analysis of genome exchange events in polyploidy Brassica
species, including both homoeologous exchanges and alien introgressions. Working in
7
combination with Associative Transcriptomics for the identification of key loci, this has the
potential to underpin the accelerated development of B. napus germplasm via control of copy
number variation and alien introgression into any brassica crop from species to which they can
be hybridized, and has been incorporated into the RIPR genomics platform. Augmenting this,
substantial progress is also being made in our understanding of the control of chromosomal
meiotic pairing in oilseed rape (BB/J007633/1).
3.4 Through Defra funding of VeGIN (IF0157) and the earlier Crop Improvement of Field
Vegetables project (HH3723), together with the BBSRC funded AdVAB project
(BB/E006884/1), a wide range of genetic markers (SSR and KASP) have been developed and
mapped, transcriptome sequence generated for B. oleracea and the related wild C genome
species, and major contributions made to the B. oleracea TO1000DH3 genome sequence.
These have provided an effective framework for understanding the genetic diversity in the C
genome Brassica crops and relatives, and the ability to map the control of traits in biparental
mapping populations. Recently the BBSRC RIPR project has started transcriptome sequencing
BolDFFS DH lines which will add further to their value and facilitate Associative
Transcriptomics mapping strategies as for B. napus. Support for the RIPR genomics platform,
which relies upon expert knowledge of both Brassica genomics and statistical genetics, will be
needed to underpin research in rapeseed and other Brassica crops beyond the end of the
project. Similarly, the expertise developed in the horticultural Brassica species and their
relatives will be needed. Capability for responsive development of KASP markers (which are
currently widely-accepted and utilized by breeders) and SNP/gene expression-based markers
(which are proving crucial in rapeseed) will be needed. Consideration should be given to
technologies currently considered non-traditional (e.g. genome editing) if a route to commercial
variety development and commercial production can be identified.
3.5 For both rapeseed and vegetable brassicas, data need to be available to the community in an
easily accessible form.
Pillar 3: Germplasm platform
3.6 Unique genetic resources in the form of diversity fixed foundation sets for the vegetable crop
Brassicas (BolDFFS) and the wild C genome species relatives (BCgDFFS) have been
developed that provide homozygous germplasm for robust trait screening and identification of
new beneficial alleles via Associative Transcriptomics. There is a particular need in vegetable
for prebreeding pipelines due to the increased number of crops types (and sub-crop types) and
hence relatively higher costs and lower commercial gains to incentivise the work. In B. napus,
the ASSYST diversity panel has been shared widely around the world and is being expanded
to ~420 accessions by the incorporation of further lines from the B. napus DFFS as they
become fixed (as part of OREGIN). In addition, the UK holds major Brassica germplasm
resources, in the form of segregating diversity collections, and the RIPR project has begun to
explore transcriptome variation in a wider panel of genetic diversity within the Brassicaceae.
The existing resources need to be readily accessible for utilization by the community. Plant
variation through radiation or chemically-induced mutagenesis has been readily adopted and
accepted by the plant breeding community for some time. Recent advances and access to
genome sequence data, together with the introduction of TILLING has unleashed the potential
8
for gene knock-out (mutations) that can easily be detection in target genes. A number of
Brassica TILLING populations have been produced in the last few years within the UK-BRC
with great potential as reverse genetics tools in plant breeding and for our general
advancement in understanding gene function. Another emerging tool for producing mutations in
a ‘cleaner’ more targeted approach, avoiding the heavy mutation load associated with TILLING,
is genome editing. The most recent editing system, CRISPR/Cas9 offers considerable
advantages over previous systems in terms of simplicity and ease of use because it relies on
an RNA guide rather than the more complex protein assemblies of previous editing systems.
While the CRISPR/Cas9 system uses a GM approach to introduce all the components required
to produce the deletion, the ‘GM’ side of the technology (the T-DNA) is segregated out in
subsequent generations leaving just the precise mutation. The resulting plant therefore
contains no foreign DNA, and could be considered as non-GM. This technology is set to
challenge the current regulatory environment, and is particularly timely as NBT (New Breeding
Techniques) are still at the discussion stage for regulations. If considered and accepted (by
regulators, breeders and the public) to be non-GM, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has the potential
to speed up the mutation plant-breeding platform.
3.7 Areas of particular relevance for germplasm improvement include: (1) Enabling the access of
new alleles, especially from wide crosses, either from other crop types, interfertile wild species
or more distantly related species that often possess desirable properties. This could include
developing strategies to transfer A genome alleles (often a better source of disease resistance
than the C genome) into C genome species. (2) For wide crosses (e.g. interspecific crosses)
to understanding the limits of chromosome pairing and recombination, and can this be
manipulated. This enables the development of a high quality science platform to facilitate
transfer of novel alleles into elite germplasm. (3) Development/selection of standard rapid
cycling and crop recipient lines to facilitate pre-breeding. A suite of additional technologies are
required to efficiently exploit germplasm from wide crosses and hybridization. These include
(re-)establishing expertise in inter-specific hybridization, developing high throughput
cytogenetic evaluation, controlled acceleration of meiotic recombination to rapidly reduce
“linkage drag” of undesirable alleles, induction of and efficient screening for copy number
variation, which in combination will be essential for the commercial exploitation of alien
introgression material.
3.8 For both rapeseed and vegetable brassicas, germplasm needs to be available to the
community in an easily accessible form.
Pillar 4: Exemplar projects
3.9 A small number of specific pre-breeding projects are needed to deliver targeted impact in key
areas, with the support of stakeholders, in both rapeseed and horticultural brassicas. Through
involvement in these, the genomics and germplasm platforms can be further developed in
order to provide a core of expertise and resources to be exploited in a broad range of other
projects supporting the Brassica crop improvement industry, broader stakeholders and across
the remits of BBSRC, Defra and the ERA. We envisage priority technologies to be utilised as
those related to key pre-breeding activities, including wide-crossing, inter-specific hybridisation,
high-throughput genotyping KASP/cSNP/GEM marker development and induction of copy
9
number variation. Engagement with stakeholders at the early stage will help develop an
understanding amongst the stakeholders of the new possibilities for routes to predictive crop
improvement, aiding the development of partnerships to take forward trait-oriented work via
funding mechanisms such as Agri-Tech Catalyst, BBSRC IPA and stand-alone LINK, crop
clubs and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
Annex 1: Priority traits identified by the community that may be suitable as exemplars
Sustainability traits in vegetable brassicas, e.g. water use efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency.
Waste reduction traits in vegetable brassicas, e.g. pest and diseases resistance, robustness
against environmental fluctuations.
Expansion of cauliflower and broccoli production across a greater proportion of the year.
Improvement of disease resistance, maturity and health benefit in vegetable brassicas whilst at the
same time retaining the flavour and appearance that consumers require from cauliflower, broccoli
and sprouts.
In rapeseed: pest and disease resistance (particularly durable sources of resistance to light leaf
spot, phoma stem canker and Sclerotinia, and for the emerging diseases such as Verticillium,
clubroot and Fusarium ), improving rape meal quality to extend the utility of the crop (as there is
almost no variation across current varieties, the manipulation of amino acid composition to be more
in line with soya, allowing us to raise the profile of rape-seed meal and reduce dependency on
foreign imports, has to be done by accessing variation in progenitors/relatives), enhancing pod
shatter resistance and improving high-throughput chemical/analytical methods for amino acid
quality assessment.
In rapeseed: need to adapt to warmer climate (e.g. increased disease severity with global
warming), improve water uptake and efficiency, reduce uncertainly with plant establishment,
improve weed control, improve pest control (particularly slugs, cabbage stem flea beetle, pollen
beetle and aphid transmitted Turnip Yellows virus), reduce nitrogen fertilizer requirement, improve
lodging resistance.
In rapeseed: understanding the negative relationship between yield and frequency in the rotation.
Both rapeseed and brassica vegetables: control of phoma stem canker and light leaf spot.
A focus on improving human nutrition centred on combining specific bioactive compounds with
strong synergistic effects in vegetable Brassica crops to increase and demonstrate real health
benefits of such plants.
Composition of rapeseed oil for industrial applications.
Content and quality of co-products from both rapeseed and vegetable brassicas that have health
benefits or industrial applications.
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Annex 2: SWOT analysis of UK Brassica research and its potential for impact
Strengths









Brassicas are major crops in the UK and contribute substantially to the rural economy
Oilseed rape has a key function as a break crop in rotation with wheat
Availability in the UK of strategic genetic resources
Access to and expertise in the use of the latest molecular marker technologies
World-leading expertise in genetics and genomics of Brassica species
Bioinformatics institutes developing and hosting databases and bioinformatics tools
A vibrant UK Brassica research community that is well connected internationally
Expertise in an extensive range of trait-focused areas
Good links between academics, breeders and farmers
Weaknesses







Rapeseed has a large environmental footprint, especially for nitrogen fertilizer
Meeting consumer demand requires import of brassica vegetables during the winter
Volatility of price of rapeseed oil
Breeding is dominated by multinational companies, few are UK-based
Breeding focused on traits for production rather than on benefits for the consumer
Difficult for breeders to identify and access alleles in the wider Brassica genepool
The so called “Valley of Death” in translating research into breeding
Opportunities







Pre-breeding to improve uptake by industry of genetic benefits identified in research
Technologies for accelerating traditional approaches for introducing genetic variation
Technologies for accelerating marker-assisted selection in breeding
Potential changes to GM legislation may enable acceptance of “genome editing”
Willingness to increase synergy between UK Brassica researchers and industry
Growing recognition of the commercial opportunities for exploiting co-products
Increase emphasis on breeding for sustainability and quality traits, as public good activities,
rather than the production traits that are the present focus of breeders
Threats








Climate change – new pests and diseases extending range into UK or new areas of UK,
changing harvest times, forecasts of increased severe weather events
Loss of intellectual property opportunities if other countries beat us to it
Genomics is changing quickly so difficult to stay at the forefront of technology
Withdrawal of agrochemicals, especially neonicotinoids, leaving farmers with limited tools to
handle pests and diseases
Reliance on fewer chemical controls increase chance of pests and diseases evolving
resistance
Breeding for new traits, especially for vegetable brassicas, takes a long time
GM legislation may not change, making the uptake of any GM technology for crop
improvement in Europe unlikely
Loss of talented people with an interest in delivering impact if longer-term funding in brassica
crop-based research looks uncertain
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