Blog Post Assignment #9

1. Brassica is of one species but many of them can be very different. The leaves of the plants seemed to exhibit the most variation, there were thin, thick, small, big, rough, and smooth. I measured the biggest leaf to be about 16.5 inches and the shortest leaf to be about 1 inch.
2. Even though the plants are all part of one species many of them are very different because of the passing of the genes through generations. Farmers use artificial selection also known as selective breeding too choose the best traits they can get for their plants. They can choose the color, taste, texture, and size. Because of descent of modification farmers can choose what kind of traits they would like their plants to have. Over time when there are more types of plants they can genetically modify them. For example if there was no Brassica Oleracea plant the broccoli wouldn't exist.
3. The color and length of the stems of the Brassica Oleracea seem to be the most consistent even though all of them are very different. Many of the stems were green and few were purple with slight green in them. The length of the cauliflower, brussels, and broccoli plants had similar stem lengths, they were about 12-16 inches. The collards and kohlrabi had short stems that were about 2-4 inches long. The may be the around the same length because the small plants need much space so they dont\'t grow tall for sunlight and water. The taller plants would get their sunlight and water from growing more and taking up less ground space.
4. In order for plant breeders to get characteristics they want for their plants they would cross breed many plants together until they are satisfied with their plant. This would probably be a long process and have many trials and errors but you will get the plant you want if you keep trying.