Diversity in seed production characteristics within the USDA-ARS Limnanthes alba germplasm collection

Authors: Jenderek, Maria; Hannan, Richard

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2009
Publication Date: 7/1/2009
Citation: Jenderek, M.M., Hannan, R.M. 2009. Diversity in seed production characteristics within the USDA-ARS Limnanthes alba germplasm collection. Crop Science. 49:1387-1394.

Interpretive Summary: Meadowfoam seeds contain a unique oil which may be used in cosmetics, lubricants, rubber additives, and plastics. While a few meadowfoam cultivars have been developed, high seed yielding germplasm is required for further improvement of the crop. The objective of this study was to evaluate the seed producing potential and associated morphological and phenological characteristics of 24 meadowfoam germplasm accessions maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) germplasm collection. The evaluation was carried out during 2004-2006, at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) site at Parlier, CA. The average seed yield varied from 39.3 g/plot to 221.3 g/plot to and was significantly different among years of the evaluation. The average number of seeds/floret under pollination by naturally occurring insects was from 1.5 to 3.4, and was similar to the number of seeds developed without presence of pollinators. A 100 seed weight varied from 496 to 721/100 seeds). The number of days from sowing to first 10% and 50% bloom, as well as to the first and last seed maturity, varied between years and accessions, as well as the seeder height. Seed yield was positively correlated with 100 seed weight, time between first 10% and 50% bloom, and seeder height. The number of seeds/floret was not significantly correlated with seed yield. Some germplasm accessions evaluated in this study had a higher seed yield than yields reported in the literature and exhibited advantageous characteristics applicable in meadowfoam improvement over the three cultivars included in the study.

Technical Abstract: Meadowfoam (L. alba) seeds are a source of long chain fatty acids which are stable under diverse environmental conditions. The fatty acid composition makes the oil valuable for use in cosmetics, lubricants, rubber additives, and plastics. While a few meadowfoam cultivars have been developed, high seed yielding germplasm is required for further improvement of the crop. The objective of this study was to evaluate the seed producing potential and associated morphological and phenological characteristics of 24 L. alba germplasm accessions maintained by the USDA germplasm collection. The evaluation was carried out during 2004-2006, at the USDA-ARS, National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) site at Parlier, CA. Field plots were established from transplants in a complete block design (50 plants/plot, 4 replications). The average seed yield varied from 39.3 g/plot (PI 374800) to 221.3 and 214.6 (PI 608039 and PI 374803) to and was significantly different among years of the evaluation. The average number of seeds/floret under pollination by naturally occurring insects was from 1.5 (PI 543894) to 3.4 (PI 374790), and was similar to the number of seeds developed without presence of pollinators. PI 608039 had the largest seeds (721 mg/100 seeds) and seeds of PI 283704 were the smallest (496 mg/100 seed). The number of days from sowing to first 10% and 50% bloom, as well as to the first and last seed maturity, varied between years and accessions. Seeder height varied between accessions and years. Seed yield was positively correlated with 100 seed weight, time between first 10% and 50% bloom, and seeder height. The number of seeds/floret was not significantly correlated with seed yield. Some germplasm accessions evaluated in this study had a higher seed yield than yields reported in the literature and exhibited advantageous characteristics applicable in meadowfoam improvement over the three cultivars included in the study.