Welcome to the Rapid-Cycling Brassica Collection
Originating in 1982 at the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, this collection features rapid-cycling seed stocks from six economically important Brassica species.
These plants were selectively bred for fast flowering and seed maturation, making them ideal for research and teaching. Their short life cycles support quick breeding, experimentation, and discovery in plant science.
| Species | Average Days to First Flower | Average Length to first flower (cm) | Average Seeds per Plant | Average Days for Life Cycle | Average Cycles per Year |
| Brassica rapa | 16 | 16 (1) | 78 (54) | 36 | 10 |
| Brassica nigra | 20 | 20 (2) | 69 (49) | 40 | 9 |
| Brassica oleracea | 30 | 30 (3) | 18 (21) | 70 | 5 |
| Brassica juncea | 19 | 19 (1) | 107 (46) | 39 | 9 |
| Brassica napus | 25 | 25 (2) | 76 (53) | 55 | 6 |
| Brassica carinata | 26 | 26 (2) | 67 (46) | 56 | 6 |
Data is expressed as mean with Standard Deviation ().
Table 1: Names of the subspecies of agriculturally important brassicas and radish
| Species (genome) | Subspecies or variety | Cultivar group or common name |
| Brassica nigra (bb = 16) | - | Black mustard |
| Brassica oleracea (cc = 18) | acephala alboglabra botrytis capitata costata gemmifera gongylodes italica medullosa palmifolia ramosa sabauda sabellica selensia |
Kales Chinese kale, Kailan Cauliflower, heading broccoli Cabbage Portuguese cabbage, Tronchuda Brussels sprouts Kohlrabi Broccoli, Calabrese Marrow stem kale Tree cabbage, Jersey kale Thousand-head kale Savoy cabbage Collards Borecole |
| Brassica rapa (aa = 20) | chinensis narinosa nipposinica oleifera parachinensis pekinensis perviridis rapifera trilocularis utilis |
Pak choi Tsatsai Mizuna, Mibuna Turnip rape, Toria Saichin, Choy sum Chinese cabbage Tendergreen, Komatsuna Turnip Yellow sarson Broccoletto, Broccoli raab |
| Brassica carinata (bbcc = 34) | - | Ethiopian mustard |
| Brassica juncea (aabb = 36) | capitata crispifolia faciliflora lapitata multiceps oleifera rapifera rugosa spicea tsa-tsai |
Head mustard Cut leaf mustard Broccoli mustard Large petiole mustard Multishoot mustard Indian mustard, Raya Root mustard Leaf mustard Mustard Big stem mustard |
| Brassica napus (aacc = 38) | - oleifera rapifera |
Fodder rape Oil rape Swede, Rutabaga |
| Raphanus sativus (rr = 18) | radicola oleifera caudatus |
Radish, dikon Oil radish Rat tail radish |
The haploid complement of chromosomes is a = 10, b = 8 and c and r = 9.