The inheritance of stem-edibility in marrow-stem kale

摘要

Abstract Improvement in the edibility of giant-stem kale (assessed as tenderness of stem) has been sought by three breeding techniques: (a) single-plant progenies from mass-pollination; (b) pair-crossing; and (c) inbreeding. Stem tenderness was quantitatively inherited, genetic effects being largely additive, with slight dominance of the more tender stems. Significant maternal effects were evident in the progenies of pair-crosses. The greatest advances from selection were shown by the inbred progenies, but as edibility has undergone little objective selection in the past it is also possible to make worthwhile gains by mass-pollination of selected plants.