186 – II.3. BRASSICA CROPS (BRASSICA SPP.)
limited to three and identified under the OECD Seed Schemes as “basic”, “certified 1st”
and “certified 2nd” generations, with the equivalent generations designated under
AOSCA as “breeder”, “foundation” and “certified seed”. Normally only one generation is
allowed for the foundation and certified classes. The OECD seed regulations for
Brassicaceae oilseeds require a five-year interval between crops of the same species.
AOSCA standards for production of foundation seed of B. napus, B. juncea and B. rapa
require four years between crops of these species and a two-year interval when producing
certified seed. Under OECD regulations, basic and certified seed-production fields of
B. napus must be isolated from any possible source of cross-pollinating pollen by a
minimum of 200 m and 100 m, respectively. AOSCA regulations require foundation
producing fields of B. napus, B. juncea and B. rapa to be isolated from any other crop of
the same kind by 201 m, 402 m and 402 m respectively. For certified producing fields of
these three species, the respective isolation distance required is 100 m, 402 m and 100 m.
Both sets of regulations require all seed-production fields to be inspected by the
designated authority at least three times for basic seed production and three times on each
parental line for the production of certified seed of hybrid varieties, i.e. before the
flowering stage, in the early flowering stage and before the end of the flowering stage.
Fields must also meet stringent standards for varietal purity (visual characteristics) as
well as freedom from cross-pollinating species and other crop kinds.
It must be emphasised that the above are minimum standards, with most countries
having higher requirements as well as many seed companies exceeding the more stringent
domestic regulations. Open-pollinated varieties of B. napus are rapidly being replaced by
F 1 hybrid varieties, and a similar situation is likely to occur in B. juncea within the next
few years. The requirement for nearly absolute purity of the female parent is mandatory if
the hybrid is to produce the desired level of heterosis. The male restorer parent must also
breed true for restoration of hybrid fertility. Thus, the hybrid regulations for isolation
distances under AOSCA are much greater at 804 m while most seed companies use
1 000 m or more. Also, foundation and certified producing crops for hybrid seed
production cannot be grown on land which has grown B. napus, B. rapa, B. juncea or
oilseed R. sativa in the past five and three years, respectfully.
The studies by Downey and Beckie (2002) and Friesen, Nelson and Van Acker
(2003) that identified some Canadian certified B. napus seed lots as containing
undesirable levels of foreign herbicide resistance traits are often cited as sources of
contamination. Regulators and the seed industry moved quickly to correct this situation.
Today the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) carries out seed testing of Brassica
oilseed varieties for: 1) adventitious presence (AP) of approved events; and 2) herbicide
trait purity of glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium resistant varieties. All official
reference control samples for oilseed rape varieties submitted to the CFIA’s Variety
Registration Office at the time of registration of a new variety are subject to AP testing
and if the variety is herbicide resistant, to herbicide purity trait testing. Furthermore, the
CFIA also monitors AP and trait purity of foundation and certified seed. In instances
where AP and/or trait purity issues are identified, the breeder of the variety is notified and
appropriate action is taken (Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 2009).
The Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) (2009) have also revised its
“Regulations and Procedures for Breeder Seed Crop Production” so that seed certificates
are only issued for breeder seed crops that are produced within a third-party audited
quality management system (QMS) and verified to preserve varietal identity. Further,
non-compliance with QMS requirements can lead to suspension or cancellation of the
