Modern broccoli has much smaller individual florets than older varieties, which makes the head look tighter and more uniform — something breeders have been selecting for.

Scientific Claim

Modern hybrid broccoli has significantly smaller flower buds (1.50 mm) compared to landrace broccoli (1.92 mm), suggesting selection for uniformity and compact head structure.

Original Statement

“Modern broccoli hybrids (Calabrese hybrid = 1.50 mm) have smaller beads than broccoli landraces (Calabrese landrace = 1.92 mm).”

From study:From landrace to modern hybrid broccoli: the genomic and morphological domestication syndrome within a diverse B. oleracea collection.

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The claim describes an observed difference between groups without implying causation. The verb 'has' is acceptable as a descriptive comparison of current states.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (0)

No supporting evidence found

Contradicting (1)

From landrace to modern hybrid broccoli: the genomic and morphological domestication syndrome within a diverse B. oleracea collection.

Cross-Sectional Study

The study shows modern broccoli was bred from older types and changed in many ways, but it never measured the size of the flower buds, so we can’t say for sure if they got smaller like the claim says.

Source Study

From landrace to modern hybrid broccoli: the genomic and morphological domestication syndrome within a diverse B. oleracea collection.

Score: 37

DOI: 10.1038/s41438-020-00375-0

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Modern broccoli puts way more of its energy into the part we eat — the head — compared to older types, which wasted more energy on leaves and stems.

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