Oil Content and Nervonic Acid Content of Acer truncatum Seeds from 14 Regions in China

Acer truncatum is considered a promising species as a raw material to produce nervonic acid (NA). The goal of this study was to explore the variation of oil content and nervonic acid content of 138 accessions native to 14 regions in China as well as provide guidance for establishing plantations and improving the production of nervonic acid. A large range of variation was found in oil content, nervonic acid per gram of oil, and nervonic acid per gram of seed (17.81%–36.56%, 3.90%–7.85%, and 0.84%–2.31%, respectively). Accessions YS-6, ABZ-6 and DQTL-8 were found as the most promising potential oil sources; PQ-2 was considered the optimal germplasm, and JY-6, NJ-8, LF-6, and CC-8 were found as promising potential sources for producing NA. A very significant difference (P < 0.01) among 14 regions was observed. DQTL and YS regions are considered the optimal farming regions for crops with high oil content, while the CC and PQ regions are regarded as the most suitable regions for nervonic acid production. A geographical trend from South to North was observed in which amount of seed oil increased but no such trend in nervonic acid content was observed. The data collected in the study on oil content and nervonic acid in accessions of A. truncatum in various regions can be utilized for establishing plantations of promising genotypes through clonal means.