This year, Fu Donghui, a researcher at the College of Agriculture at Jiangxi Agricultural University, has cultivated seven new flower colors: carmine red, large yellow blotches, pure white, blush pink, pure purple, light plum red with central rose red blotches, and brown-purple stripes, bringing the total number of varieties to over 70.
"Our research team has focused on ornamental canola varieties and explored new canola products to address the challenges faced by the canola industry in areas like Wuyuan, Jiangxi," Fu Donghui explained. "The cultivation of new flower colors has significant implications for the sustainable and rapid development of the canola industry."
This year's colorful canola flowers are distinguished by their deep, saturated colors and superior overall characteristics. Their ornamental value has been significantly enhanced, resulting in a more captivating visual experience. Building upon the 34 stable flower colors identified in 2023, two new colors, deep rust red and blood red, have been added, bringing the total number of stable flower colors to 36.
Beginning in 2015, Fu Donghui focused on researching colored rapeseed flowers. On the basis of pollen provided by Li Xiaonan, senior agronomist at Xiaonan Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Shifang City, Sichuan Province, he reassembled genes for different flower colors through multiple breeding methods such as hybridization, backcrossing, and selfing. This enabled directional selection and the selection of superior varieties, resulting in continuous updates to the variety of colors in rapeseed flowers.
According to Fu Donghui, in addition to their diverse flower colors, colored rapeseed flowers are adaptable, have a long flowering period, high yield, strong fragrance, and high added value. Aside from their ornamental value for tourism, colored rapeseed flowers can also be made into various pastries. Furthermore, extracts from colored rapeseed flowers can be used in the manufacture of a wide range of cosmetic products, such as hand cream, facial masks, and face cream, which is of great significance for extending the industrial chain and increasing the income of farmers.
In recent years, the rapeseed flower economy in places such as Wuyuan in Jiangxi, Hanzhong in Shaanxi, Luoping in Yunnan, and Jingzhou in Hubei has shown a rapid development trend. The successful breeding of different colored varieties, when used in demonstration collaborations with scenic areas, can drive these areas to update their tourism products. To date, the team has established cooperative relationships with over 100 scenic areas in more than 20 provinces. They have carried out scientific demonstration planting of new varieties, with successful demonstrations in over 10 beautiful villages or scenic areas in Jiangxi, including Wuyuan, Anyi, Ji'an Jizhou District, Suichuan, Dayu County, Yifeng, and Nanchang Qiaoshe Town.
"The in-depth development and utilization of colored rapeseed flowers, as well as their diversification, will serve as a powerful catalyst for rural revitalization and promote the sustainable development of local economies," said Fu Donghui.
