Response of Early, Timely & Late Genotypes of Brassica sps. Grown under Different Temperature Conditions for Oil Content & Fatty Acid Composition

The effect of four different dates of sowing on oil content and fatty acid composition was studied using eleven rapeseed and Indian mustard varieties at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Effects of species, maturity duration (early, timely and late sown) and environment (different dates of sowing) on the oil content and fatty acid composition was observed. The results indicate specific, genotypic variation as well as different response to the environment, resulting from strong G×E interactions for oil content and delay in sowing compromised the oil content in general. Higher temperature at seed filling and pod maturity stage affected the fatty acid profile. A significant correlation between temperature variables at maturity and fatty acid composition was observed. Linolenic (r= -0.335 to -0.317) and erucic acid (r = -0.578 to -0.568) was significantly and negatively correlated with temperature at maturity stage whereas a positive correlation was found with linoleic acid content (r = 0.324 to 0.338). The results indicated that the sowing of brassica genotypes during 2nd fortnight of October is beneficial as far as the oil content as well as oil quality is concerned.