Improving pod shattering resistance in rapeseed: insights from related Brassica species

Pod shattering (silique dehiscence), is an adaptive trait for seed dispersal in wild species but underpins the profitability of cultivated rapeseed ( Brassica napus L. ) and its related Brassica, and unrelated cereal and leguminous food crops. It endangers food security and constrains the supply of raw materials for industrial and biofuel production, improving pod shattering resistance (PSR), a key breeding objective in rapeseed and other Brassica species . The molecular mechanisms governing PSR are well characterized in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana , with over thirteen key genes identified. However, the understanding of PSR remain partially elucidated in Brassica crops. This review summarizes current advances in understanding the physical, genetic, genomic, and molecular bases of PSR in A. thaliana and Brassica species, highlighting agronomic strategies, phenotyping methodologies, key candidate genes, quantitative trait loci, genetic resources and the potential of wild gene introgression for PSR enhancement for rapeseed. Additionally, we discuss genetic and genomic improvement strategies and outline major challenges and future research directions to accelerate the development of PSR rapeseed cultivars, with emphasis on exploring the genetic variation of PSR through introgression from related Brassica crops.