Are Wisconsin Fast Plants Brassica rapa?
Are Wisconsin Fast Plants Brassica rapa?
The Wisconsin Fast PlantTM is a trademark name for a species of plant called Brassica rapa. Dr. Paul H. Williams, plant pathologist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, spent 15 years developing rapid-cycling versions of six species of Brassica.
Is Brassica rapa annual or perennial?
Brassica rapa campestris is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
How fast does Brassica rapa grow?
Thus, like WFP, FPsc is rapid- cycling, flowering ~18 days after planting. The plants are relatively compact and need very little inputs or maintenance to complete the life cycle (seed to seed) in ~56-60 days.
Can you eat Brassica rapa?
Edible Uses: Leaves – raw or cooked[1, 5]. The cooked leaves make an acceptable vegetable, though they are coarser than the related cabbage. They are more often used as a spring greens, sowing the plants in the autumn and allowing them t overwinter.
Why are Wisconsin Fast Plants special?
The Wisconsin Fast Plants are relatives of cabbage and broccoli that progress from seed to plant to flower in just 14 days, then on to seed by 40 days. Introduced by plant pathologist Paul Williams in 1987, the plants allow students to explore the effects of cross-breeding.
What is Brassica rapa used for?
Brassica rapa L. in its various forms may be used as food for people or feed to livestock as leaves, roots, and seeds. This plant is a crucifer, or cruciferous (for the four-lobed, cross-shaped appearance of the four-petaled flowers).
What growing conditions does the Brassica rapa plant prefer?
It grows best in well-drained, moist soil, but may also grow in droughty conditions, moderate heat, and soils with low fertility (Clark, 2007). Although it grows best in full sun, it will grow in moderate shade. Field mustard is hardy through USDA plant hardiness zone 7.
Is Brassica rapa an invasive species?
Brassica rapa var. rapa L. This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.
How much water do Brassica rapa need?
The amount of water given to Brassica rapa will not affect how fast it progresses through its life cycle. Our goal was to find the least amount of water needed for Brassica rapa to complete a full life cycle. Our research suggests that this amount is 4 mL per day per plant.
How tall can Brassica rapa grow?
Plants grow 1 to 3 (or 4) ft tall from a sometimes fleshy, enlarged taproot, with a many-branched stem. The foliage is generally hairless and sometimes covered with a whitish film. Lower leaves can reach 12 inches long, have a large central lobe, and usually one to four pairs of smaller side lobes.
How do you grow Brassica rapa?
How long do Wisconsin Fast Plants live?
Wisconsin Fast Plants are a patented variety of rapid-cycling Brassica rapa developed by Dr. Paul Williams at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a research model for studies in plant disease. Fast Plants live their whole lives in 35 to 45 days; perfect timing for science classes as well as plant geneticists.
What is the common name for Brassica rapa?
wild turnip
Brassica rapa is a diverse wild plant species known with several common names: wild turnip, field mustard, turnip mustard, wild mustard, wild kale or bird rape. It has bright yellow flowers which attract bees. Brassica rapa has several subspecies with different uses as crop plants. Turnip (Brassica rapa subsp.
What is the easiest Brassica to grow?
Short-season greens like baby kale, mustard greens, or bok choy are the easiest brassicas to grow. Sown in early spring or late summer, they will start producing baby greens in just a few weeks and maybe harvested at full size for cooking.
What time of year do you plant brassicas?
Brassicas can be planted in the Spring, Summer or early Fall and will grow in a wide range of soil conditions (pH 5.3-7.0), but prefer a well drained area with a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0. These plant varieties are fast growing forage crops that will reach maturity in only 60-90 days.
Can brassicas survive frost?
Frost Tolerance In general brassicas will tolerate a light frost, when temperatures dip between 28-33ºF for a few hours. Young plants are more vulnerable than mature ones, however, and must be covered to survive a hard frost, when temperatures fall below 28ºF for more than 2-3 hours.
What are the uses for Brassica rapa?
How do you grow brassica rapa?