Ozone depletes oil seed rape productivityJune 29, 2009High ozone conditions cause a 30% decrease in yield and an increase in the concentration of a group of toxic compounds within oilseed rape plants. Combined with the results of previous studies which have shown a decrease in oil, protein and carbohydrate content of oilseed rape seeds in high ozone, these results (to be presented at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Main Meeting in Glasgow on 29th June 2009) could signal a significant income loss for farmers and an indirect effect on human health and the safety of food in future climates. The research, to be presented by Maarten De Bock of the University of Antwerp, showed changes in the concentration of glucosinolates, a family of compounds involved in plant defences against herbivores, in oilseed rape plants. Such changes could influence crop resistance to insect pests, or the palatability of food crops. As oilseed rape is important as a feed crop, increased levels of glucosinolates may cause problems due to the large quantities of fodder consumed by farm animals. For human consumption, however, an increase in glucosinolates, in cabbage plants for example, would be favourable due to their anticarcinogenic properties. Interaction of these factors and their impact on the food web in changing climates will be investigated further throughout the course of this ongoing project. Society for Experimental Biology |
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| Related Oilseed Current Events and Oilseed News Articles Grains and lamb offer new sources of omega-3 CSIRO research on grains and lamb aimed at developing new dietary sources of long-chain omega-3 oils will be presented at the World Congress on Oils and Fats in Sydney this week. Iowa State University researcher looks at the future of agriculture Dramatic price fluctuations, increasing demand, the food vs. fuel debate, and other events of the past year may have food producers wondering which way is up. Shatter-resistant brassicas An international team of scientists has cracked the problem of pod shatter in brassica crops such as oilseed rape. DOE Joint Genome Institute completes soybean genome The U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (DOE JGI) has released a complete draft assembly of the soybean (Glycine max) genetic code, making it widely available to the research community to advance new breeding strategies for one of the world's most valuable plant commodities. Growing markets bring potential for rubber and oilseed crops Changing and growing markets have renewed interest and research on guayule and lesquerella, two native Big Bend plants that might be grown in other parts of Texas, a Texas AgriLife Research scientist said. Genes identified to protect brassicas from damaging disease Scientists have identified a new way to breed brassicas, which include broccoli, cabbage and oilseed rape, resistant to a damaging virus. Biodiesel study targets cleaner air, cleaner engines Cleaner engines, cleaner air and more uses for local farm products were the focus of a just-completed study of biodiesel as an alternative fuel source on selected Ontario farms. GM crops should now be banned Government advisors have today confirmed that GM herbicide tolerant (HT) crops could harm wildlife, including farmland birds. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) has warned that GMHT beet and spring-sown oilseed rape will reduce seed numbers because weeds will be destroyed. Many bird species depend on seeds for their survival. Dr Mark Avery, director of conservation at the RSPB said: "Farmland bird populations have been in freefall for more than three decades. The cultivation of GM beet and oilseed rape would drastically reduce seed numbers and put familiar birds such as the skylark and yellowhammer in even greater peril. This is a 2-0 result against GM crops - t First national study to quantify GM hybrids across the UK Pioneering research that quantifies cross-fertilisation between crops and their wild relatives will help to assess the risk of hybridisation associated with growing GM crops in the UK, according to a report published today in the journal Science. Mass flowering crops enhance pollinator densities at a landscape scale The EU response to recent declines in pollinators and consequent loss of pollination services has been the inclusion of pollinator-friendly management in agri-environment schemes. These comprise the promotion of semi-natural habitats, such as set-aside and field margin strips. Yet, mass flowering crops, such as oilseed rape, are assumed to be of little value to pollinators. However, in an article soon to appear in Ecology Letters, C. Westphal, I. Steffan-Dewenter and T. Tscharntke show that the densities of bumblebees, a key group of pollinators in European agroecosystems, did not appear to be related to the amount of semi-natural habitats, as previously thought. Instead, bumblebees profite More Oilseed Current Events and Oilseed News Articles |
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