Assessment of the spring rape collection samples roductivity and selection of the most promising ones for breeding

The objective of the study is to evaluate collection samples of spring rapeseed by seed yield and to identify promising source material for breeding for seed productivity. The studies were conducted in 2016–2018 in the forest-steppe conditions of the Central Black Earth Region of Russia. A total of 158 spring rapeseed varieties from 16 countries were compared with the standard variety Rif (k-5442). According to the study results, the average yield of the standard over three years was 130.9 g/m2. Based on the data obtained, samples were identified whose average seed productivity for 2016–2018 was 20 % or more higher than the standard. These are the domestic varieties Accord (170.9 g/m2), Atlant (161.2 g/m2), Galant (160.0 g/m2), the Austrian variety Griffin (167.8 g/m2), the German samples Sinica (161.5 g/m2), Egra (160.6 g/m2), Osorno (181.5 g/m2), Kaliber (166.7 g/m2), Mirco CL, (174.6 g/m2), SR 10909 (165.4 g/m2), SR 11209 (159.0 g/m2) and the French Jura (170.1 g/m2). The oil content in seeds varies from 41.5 (Jura) to 44.8 % (Kaliber), the glucosinolate content in seeds ranges from 17.3 (SR 11209) to 24.3 (Jura) μmol/g. In the Rif variety, these indicators are 49.4 % and 20.1 μmol/g, respectively. In collec-tion samples distinguished by seed productivity, the duration of the vegetation period varies from 79 to 82 days, lodging resistance is 6.2–7.8 points, and pod cracking is 1.6–3.0 points (on a 9-point scale). The above-mentioned collection samples are recommended for use in breeding spring rapeseed for seed productivity.