Genetic variability of spring rapeseed hybrids based on quantitative traits

Abstract

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is the most important oilseed crop in Europe and the second in the world. Rapeseed breeders are continuously creating cultivars and hybrids with the main goal to combine high yield, oil content and quality traits. Thus, it is imperative to assess the created germplasm and to distinguish the most promising genotypes. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic variability of 45 spring rapeseed hybrids in order to effectively select those with a combination of high seed and oil yield and other desirable traits, by using multivariate statistical methods.