FIGURE 28.10 Crop plants developed by selective breeding of the wild mustard plant (Brassica oleracea). Genes-Traits The wild mustard plant carries a large amount of genetic (i.e., allelic) variation, which was used by plant breeders to produce modern strains Wild mustard plant that are agriculturally desirable and economically important. For example, by selecting for alleles that promote the formation of large lateral leaf buds, the strain Brussels sprouts was created. By selecting for alleles that alter the leaf morphology, kale was developed. Although these six agricultural plants look quite different from each other, they carry many of the same alleles as the wild mustard. However, they differ in alleles affecting the formation of stems, leaves, flower buds, and leaf buds. (wild mustard): © Seven P. Lynch; (kohlrabi): © Nigel Cattlin/Science Source; (kale): © Straln Modified trait Kohlrabi Stem Valerie Giles/Science Source; (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower): © Michael P. Gadomski/Science Source CONCEPT CHECK: Discuss the types of traits that have been subjected to selective breeding in this example. Kale Leaves Broccoli Flower buds and stem Brussels sprouts Lateral leaf buds Cabbage Terminal leaf bud Cauliflower Flower buds
Genetic Variation
Genetic variation refers to the variation in the genome sequences between individual organisms of a species. Individual differences or population differences can both be referred to as genetic variations. It is primarily caused by mutation, but other factors such as genetic drift and sexual reproduction also play a major role.
Quantitative Genetics
Quantitative genetics is the part of genetics that deals with the continuous trait, where the expression of various genes influences the phenotypes. Thus genes are expressed together to produce a trait with continuous variability. This is unlike the classical traits or qualitative traits, where each trait is controlled by the expression of a single or very few genes to produce a discontinuous variation.
Discuss the types of traits that have been subjected to selective breeding in this example.
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