Which feature has to be selected in wild cabbage if the vegetable kale...
Selecting and breeding wild cabbage plants with slightly larger leaves gave rise to the leafy vegetable called kale.
Which feature has to be selected in wild cabbage if the vegetable kale...
Introduction
To artificially breed kale from wild cabbage, specific traits must be selected to ensure the desired characteristics of kale are achieved.
Key Trait Selection: Larger Leaves
- Larger Leaves: Kale is known for its large, edible leaves. Selecting wild cabbage plants with slightly larger leaves is crucial because:
- Increased Edibility: Larger leaves enhance the yield and the portion of the plant that can be consumed.
- Desirable Texture: The texture of kale leaves is often favored over other cabbage varieties, making this trait important for consumer preference.
Other Traits Considered
- Swollen Parts of Flowers: This trait is not relevant for kale, as it is primarily leaf-oriented rather than flower-oriented.
- Very Short Distance Between Leaves: While this could influence plant density, it does not directly contribute to the characteristic of kale leaves, which are broad and flat.
- Sterile Flowers: This trait is not beneficial as kale is a flowering plant. Sterility would prevent reproduction, which is necessary for breeding.
Conclusion
In summary, when aiming to breed kale from wild cabbage, the selection of plants with slightly larger leaves is essential. This ensures that the end product possesses the desired qualities of kale, focusing on the size, texture, and overall yield of the leaves. The other traits do not align as closely with the characteristics sought in kale.