The invention relates to a Canola hybrid variety designated 7CN0298, essentially derived variants of that Canola hybrid variety, to the cells, seeds, plants, and plant parts of this Canola hybrid variety 7CN0298. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 7CN0298 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the Canola seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. The invention also relates to uses of 7CN0298.

Means and methods are provided to produce abiotic stress tolerant plants with improved yield based on the specific identification of a DNA methylation signature in the plants out of a population of the plants. The methods involve identification and utilization of epigenetic features of a plant with high energy use efficiency.

This disclosure concerns methods and compositions for identifying canola plants that have a blackleg resistant phenotype. Some embodiments concern molecular markers to identify, select, and/or construct blackleg resistant plants and germplasm, or to identify and counter-select plants that are susceptible or have low resistance to blackleg disease. Some embodiments concern molecular markers to identify, select, and/or construct blackleg resistant plants that carry the rlm4 gene. This disclosure also concerns canola plants comprising a blackleg resistant phenotype that are generated by methods utilizing at least one marker described herein.

A method for identifying a quantitative trait locus associated with desirable nutritional traits in canola includes: analyzing a population of canola plants or germplasm for desirable nutritional traits; determining the genotype of the canola plants or germplasm using at least one marker selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:111; mapping the canola plants or germplasm for the presence of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with the markers; and associating the QTL with the desirable nutritional trait. An isolated and/or recombinant nucleic acid includes a sequence associated with a quantitative trait locus (QTL), wherein the QTL is associated with a desirable nutritional trait in a canola plant or germplasm and wherein the QTL is further associated with at least one marker selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:111.

Methods are provided to mutate, in a targeted manner, the genome of a plant cell using a double stranded DNA break inducing enzyme. Also provided are plants, in particular Brassica plants that yield seeds producing oils having a reduced total saturated fatty acid content, and method for making such plants.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of canola variety SCV572130 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola variety SCV572130 with itself or with another canola variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to canola varieties or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola variety SCV572130, to methods for producing other canola varieties, lines or plant parts derived from canola variety SCV572130 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the variety SCV572130 with another canola variety.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of canola variety SCV724303 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola variety SCV724303 with itself or with another canola variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to canola varieties or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola variety SCV724303, to methods for producing other canola varieties, lines or plant parts derived from canola variety SCV724303 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the variety SCV724303 with another canola variety.

The present invention relates to a method for enhancing crop performance in Brassica, the method comprising providing Brassica seeds which have been sorted so that at least 90% of the seed population have a seed diameter of at least 1.7 mm; and seeding said Brassica seeds at a seeding rate sufficient to establish a population of Brassica plants so that the plants have a density of 40 to 95 plants per m.sup.2 when the plants are at any one or more of phenological growth stages 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15, according to the BBCH scale; and that the plants show an establishment rate of at least 40%.

The present invention relates to excision of explant material comprising meristematic tissue from cotton seeds. Methods for tissue preparation, storage, transformation, and selection or identification of transformed plants are disclosed, as are transformable meristem tissues and plants produced by such methods, and apparati for tissue preparation.

The present invention concerns a canola germplasm comprising at least 45% crude protein and not more than 18% acid detergent fiber content on an oil-free, dry matter basis. Certain embodiments further comprise one or more traits selected from the group consisting of reduced polyphenolic content and increased phosphorous content. In particular embodiments, the invention concerns canola plants comprising such germplasm and plant commodity products (e.g., seeds) produced therefrom. Canola plants comprising a germplasm of the invention may exhibit favorable seed composition characteristics that make them particularly valuable as a source for canola meal, and for methods of introducing at least one trait selected from the group consisting of high protein content, low fiber content, reduced polyphenolic content and increased phosphorous content into a canola variety in a seed coat color-independent manner.