QUARTZ - WINTER OILSEED RAPE (Brassica Napus L emend)

Abstract

Quartz is a variety of winter oilseed rape that arose from a long-term breeding program focused on key output traits of (1) winter survival, (2) seed yield and (3) financial return for farmers in this order. Breeding objectives were restricted to these 3 so as these traits could be quickly identified.

Description

Placement of the invention into research trials in environments that demanded strong expression of these traits quickly indicated the unique potential of this invention in a large geographic area of the US Central Plains. Commercialization of this invention in a logical manner throughout the region will bring previously unrealized benefits to US farmers and US oilseed crushing industry.

We, KWS Moment Recherche SARL, represented by Mr Thierry Momont, wishes to apply for a Utility Patent for its Winter Oilseed rape variety named QUARTZ.

Please find below its description

Variety denomination             Quartz
Species                          Winter Oilseed rape
Botanical name of taxon          Brassica napus L emend
Information on origin of the variety Astrid x 99EA081
Breeding method                  Dihaploid
Place of discovery               North of France
Characters descriptions          States of Expression
Seed-erucic acid                 Absent
Seed cotyledon-length            Medium
Seed cotyledon-width             Medium to broad
Seed cotyledon-lope separation   Medium to broad
Seed cotyledon-saddle depth      Medium to deep
Seed cotyledon-width/length      Medium to large
Seed cotyledon-lope separation/saddle depth Small to medium
Leaf-green color                 Medium to dark
Leaf-glaucosity                  Present
Leaf-development of lobes        Present
Leaf-number of lobes             Medium
Leaf-dentation of margin         Medium to strong
Time of flowering                Medium
Flower-color of petals           Yellow
Flower-Length of petals          Medium
Flower-width of petals           Medium
Production of pollen             Present
Plant-height at full flowering   Medium
Plant-total length including side branches Medium
Top shoot-length                 Medium
Siliqua-length (between peduncle and beak) Short to medium
Siliqua-width                    Narrow to medium
Siliqua-length/width             Medium
Siliqua-length of beak           Short to medium
Siliqua-length of peduncle       Medium

The rapeseed Quartz has been bread using the Double Haploid methods. This process involves obtaining haploid plants from reproductive cell-bearing organs, called male or female gametophytes, and returning to the diploid phase.

Claims

1- Quartz has a unique growth habit that confers adaptation to continental type climates such as the central US plains, especially due to its excellent winter hardiness.

2- Having delivered some remarkable on-farm performance over the years, Quartz remains a popular variety with farmers in regions of the world growing winter oilseed rape (Winter Canola)

3- Quartz, is a winter oilseed rape that offers very balanced agronomical traits. A vigorous growth habit from the start, his medium stiff straw makes it easy to harvest. Quartz offers outstanding resistance for both phoma and lodging. It also possess a good oil content.

4- Reliable performance in US University and Private Trials. Quartz has shown very good yield results in the trial network organized by Michael J. Stamm from the Kansas State University (see attached results)