Phenotypic Trait Descriptions
Anthocyanin
Purple anthocyanin plants are characterized by the production of anthocyanin pigments, resulting in purple coloration in various tissues such as leaves, stems, and flowers. Intensity of anthocyanin expression is variable Pan (0-9), and is increased by light, nutrient and water stress, low temperature and other environmental factors.This trait is associated with environmental responses and can provide benefits such as UV protection and enhanced visual appeal, influencing pollinator attraction and consumer preferences.
Anthocyaninless
Anthocyaninless plants are those that lack the purple anthocyanin pigment due to specific genetic mutations, such as the "anl" genotype. These plants exhibit a green or yellow-green coloration, as they do not produce the typical coloration associated with anthocyanins, which are responsible for red, blue, and purple hues in many fruits and vegetables. Seeds are shades of yellow in contrast to shades of brown in wild type plants. The genetic background of Anl stocks may be selected for the high expression of purple anthocyanin, Pan. E.g. Pan (7-9).
Apetalous
Apetalous denotes a floral characteristic in which flowers lack petals. This can involve the complete absence of petals or the presence of reduced petal structures. Apetalous flowers still possess reproductive parts, such as stamens and pistils, and may attract pollinators through alternative floral features like color and scent. Petal number and development exhibits variable expressivity and penetrance.
Atrazine resistant
Atrazine resistant refers to plants that can grow and thrive despite exposure to the herbicide atrazine, which typically inhibits growth in sensitive species. This resistance is often conferred by a mutation in the chloroplastic genome and transmitted uniparentally through the cytoplasm of the egg and allows the plant to maintain normal development and fertility under herbicide application.
Growth Form Traits
Dwarf
Dwarf describes a plant phenotype characterized by significantly reduced height compared to standard varieties. Dwarf plants exhibit smaller leaves, stems, and flowers, often resulting from genetic mutations. Plant hue is darker green than standard. This trait can be beneficial for space efficiency, resource allocation, and potential uses in specific agricultural or horticultural contexts.
Elongate internode
Elongated internode refers to a plant trait characterized by significantly longer internodes between nodes, resulting in increased plant height. This phenotype can affect overall architecture and stability, often requiring support for upright growth. It may result from genetic factors or environmental conditions that influence growth regulation pathways.
Rosette plant
Rosette plants are characterized by a compact growth form with leaves densely clustered near the soil surface, often resulting in short internodes. This phenotype can lead to delayed flowering and seed pod development. Rosette morphology is often linked to specific genetic traits and environmental responses that influence growth patterns.
Standard
The standard represents the standard, wild type, form and performance for rapid-cycling Brassica rapa, Rbr. Plants have been selected to begin flowering 14 days after sowing. When grown under optimal conditions, harvestable seeds are produced 40 days after planting. Although Standard is relatively uniform for flowering time and overall appearance, traits show a range of variation that can be quantified including: hairiness, stem color, plant height, etc. Rbr is phenotypically plastic, actively responding in growth, development and reproduction to variations in the environment.
Variegated, developmental
Variegated developmental plants exhibit an irregular pattern of coloration, with interspersed green and white sectors due to variations in chloroplast populations within cells. This phenotype arises from genetic factors and influences growth, potentially affecting photosynthetic efficiency and aesthetic appearance. Variegation can be inherited or influenced by environmental conditions during development.
Variegated, cytoplasmic, somatic
Cytoplasmic somatic variegation refers to the presence of interspersed green and white cell sectors resulting from abnormal and normal chloroplast distribution. This uniparental inheritance through the egg affects leaf coloration and growth, influencing photosynthetic efficiency and overall plant aesthetics, with variable expression observable throughout development.
Yellow-green
Yellow-green plants display a lighter hue compared to standard green varieties, often indicating variations in chlorophyll content and light absorption. This phenotype can result from specific genetic mutations, affecting growth vigor and photosynthetic efficiency, and is commonly found in various species within botanical research and breeding programs.