Quality assessment of rapeseed accessions by means of near-infrared spectroscopy on combine harvesters

Optimization of data collection processes in plant breeding programmes is of the highest importance for plant breeders. In rapeseedbreeding, data collection and selection must be carried out in a very restricted period of time because of the short time span between harvesting and sowing. Near-infrared spectroscopy on combine harvesters (NOCH) improves the data collection processes in breeding programmes of grain crops such as maize, and it may also improve the data collection processes in breeding programmes of rapeseed. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of NOCH for the determination of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), oil and glucosinolate (GSL) contents in rapeseed. A plot combine harvester equipped with a near-infrared diode-array spectrometer was used. Reference values for DM content were determined by the oven method. Reference values for the quality traits were established by laboratory near-infrared spectroscopy. NOCH showed a high potential for the determination of DM, CP, oil, and GSL contents. Use of NOCH in breeding may increase the efficiency of data collection processes and might dramatically accelerate the development of rapeseed cultivars.