title: Realizing the potential of rapid-cycling Brassica as a model system for use in plant biology research.
abstract: Rapid-cycling Brassica populations were initially developed as a model for probing the genetic basis of plant disease. Paul Williams and co-workers selected accessions of the six main species for short time to flower and rapid seed maturation. Over multiple generations of breeding and selection, rapid-cycling populations of each of the six species were developed. Because of their close relationship with economically important Brassica species, rapid-cycling Brassica populations, especially those of B. rapa (RCBr) and B. oleracea, have seen wide application in plant and crop physiology investigations. Adding to the popularity of these small, short-lived plants for research applications is their extensive use in K-12 education and outreach.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA. musgrave@nsm.umass.edu
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Musgrave
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D001695:Biology / Q000193:education*; D001937:Brassica / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D003479:Curriculum; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D012106:Research; D012574:Schools
chemical_list: D010937:Plant Growth Regulators