Sprouting broccoli has way more unique genetic variants than store-bought broccoli, making it a treasure trove for breeders trying to add new traits.

Scientific Claim

Sprouting broccoli accessions contain 39.1 unique alleles per accession — nearly five times more than modern hybrids — suggesting they retain high genetic diversity and may be valuable for future breeding.

Original Statement

“By subpopulation, Calabrese hybrid accessions contained the fewest unique polymorphic alleles (8.3 accession−1) and sprouting broccoli types contained the most (39.1 accession−1).”

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 reports a measured difference in allele count without implying causation. 'Contain' is appropriate for descriptive genetic comparison.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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

Cross-Sectional Study

The study found that old, traditional broccoli types have almost five times more unique genetic variety than modern broccoli hybrids, making them super useful for breeding better broccoli in the future.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

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

Similar Assertions

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A specific spot on broccoli’s 9th chromosome — which controls when it flowers and how it handles heat — has been heavily selected by breeders, making it a key target for improvement.

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Modern broccoli’s genes stay linked together over much longer stretches of DNA than in purple cauliflower, meaning breeders have been mating very similar plants for generations.

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