Registration of WCL-LO4-gail lesquerella with improved harvest index

WCL-LO4-Gail lesquerella (Physaria fendleri L.) germplasm line (Reg. No. GP-34, PI 666045) was publicly released jointly by the USDA-ARS and the University of Arizona, in 2012 as part of the new crops breeding program. The germplasm was developed by mass selection originating from lesquerella germplasm WCL-LO3. The germplasm has an average oil content of 29% and 44% lesquerolic acid. It has a harvest index of 16.5, a plant biomass of 157 g, and a seed yield of 23.5 g plant-1. The unique characteristic of this germplasm is its demonstrated improved harvest index. The release of WCL-LO4-Gail will beneft public and private breeders with new germplasm for variety development. It will also benefit growers and producers with the highest yielding available germplasm for production.