Validation in oilseed rape of a transcriptome-based technology for trait prediction, especially hybrid vigour

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Many species exhibit increased growth rates, reach larger sizes and, in the cases of crops and farm animals, produce higher yields when grown as hybrids ('hybrid vigour') but breeding for this trait is both intractable and expensive. Building upon our breakthroughs in understanding the molecular basis of this phenomenon, we have developed a technology that permits the quantitative prediction of hybrid vigour, and have demonstrated its utility in maize. We anticipate applicability in a wide range of crops, and even in livestock. However, in both species tested so far, the studies have used collections representing broad ranges of genetic diversity rather than realistic breeding material. We propose to validate the technology for use in breeding programmes using winter oilseed rape, which is one of the crops most closely related to our model species, A. thaliana.

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