Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 14
Germplasm Improvement to Develop
Commercially Viable Lines of the New
Oilseed Crop Lesquerella
Von Mark V. Cruz and David A. Dierig
Abstract Lesquerella (
Physaria fendleri
) is a new oilseed crop that is being domes-
ticated as an alternative crop for arid regions in the United States. As a member of the
Brassica family, the species exhibits a high seed-oil content that can provide a source
of hydroxy fatty acids for industrial use as source of bioenergy and by-products that
can be utilized in livestock production. Germplasm evaluation and breeding activities
on the crop have been done by the University of Arizona and the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA). Lesquerella and other
Physaria
and
Paysonia
species have a
substantial germplasm collection that is well characterized for phenotypic traits and
oil profiles. There are several improved germplasm released by the USDA with
higher oil content and seed yield, enhanced oil profile, abiotic stress tolerance, and
harvest index which can be directly utilized for commercial production or used for
crop improvement. Additional technologies that can aid breeding, such as molecular
marker systems and genetic transformation systems, have been established. A few
challenges remain to be surmounted for the crop to be commercialized. A continued
concerted effort by public and private institutions may hasten the process of bringing
this new crop to commercial production.
Keywords Brassicaceae • Bladderpod • New oilseed crops • Estolides • Hydroxy
fatty acids (HFA)
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