Contribution of the leaf and silique photosynthesis to the seeds yield and quality of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) in reproductive stage

Influences of photosynthesis of leaf and silique on seeds yield and quality of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) were explored in this study. A field comparing experiment with several rapeseed varieties was conducted and the results showed, that the leaf area index (LAI), silique surface area index (SAI), siliques number per plant, and biological yield were statistically classified as the first principal factors which greatly influenced seeds yield, the leaf net photosynthetic rate (P(n)) and silique P(n) were the second principal factors; the stomatal conductance (G(s)) and chlorophyll a (Chl a) content were the first principal factors which influenced leaf P(n) and silique P(n). A shading experiment was conducted and the results showed that, under treatments of the ZH1, ZH2, and ZH3 (shading rapeseed plants during flowering stage, during time from initial flowering until seeds ripening, and during time from flowering ending until seeds ripening, respectively), respectively the seeds yield per plant was reduced by 34.6%, 84.3%, and 86.1%, the seed protein content was significantly increased. The treatment ZH1 Not, but the ZH2 and ZH3 caused significant decrease in both seed oil content and oleic acid (C18:1) content in seed oil, and the contents of linoleic acid (C18:2), linolenic acid (C18:3) in oil were significantly increased, gene expression of the ACCase (Acetyl-CoA carboxylase), FAD2 (fatty acid desaturase), and FAD3 (ω-3 fatty acid dehydrogenase) in green seeds was restrained/changed. Thus the LAI, SAI, siliques number per plant, biological yield per plant, leaf P(n), silique P(n), and the G(s), Chl a content of leaf and silique formed an indexes system to be used in screening rapeseed variety with higher light efficiency and seeds yield; the silique photosynthesis inhibition and the photosynthates deficiency in rapeseed plant after flowering stage predominately influenced seeds yield and quality.