Embryonic heterosis in the linolenic acid content of Matthiola incana seed oil

Abstract

The fatty acid composition of the seed oil of breeding lines and F 1 hybrids of Matthiola incana (stocks) was analysed, using direct esterification and GC. The breeding lines tested differed significantly with respect to levels of palmitic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. Embryonic-stage heterosis in linolenic acid concn. was demonstrated by F 1 hybrid seeds, derived from crossing horticulturally different lines of M. incana. Linolenic acid content was negatively correlated with both oleic acid content (r = -0.85) and linoleic acid content (r = -0.66). None of the breeding lines or the F 1 hybrids significantly passed the limit of 67% linolenic acid previously found for long-chain fatty acids in seeds of other cruciferous plants. This information is useful for the evaluation of M. incana as a potential new oilseed crop. [From En summ.]