# Artificial selection for flower size in Brassica rapa reveals moderate heritability and many correlated traits

## TL;DR

Scientists selectively bred plants to change flower size, finding moderate genetic influence and many related traits.

## Contribution

Demonstrates moderate heritability of flower size and identifies multiple correlated traits in Brassica rapa.

## Key findings

- Artificial selection produced a 90% difference in flower size between lines.
- Selection revealed moderate heritability (h² = 0.25) for flower diameter.
- Correlated responses included flowering time, morphology, seed set, and biomass.

## Abstract

With the ultimate goal of better understanding the impact of flower size on pollinator attraction, mating patterns, and plant fitness, four generations of artificial selection were performed on flower diameter in
Brassica rapa
. Selection produced a 90% difference in mean flower size between lines, expanded trait range by 6%, and revealed moderate heritability (
h
² = 0.25). It also resulted in correlated responses in flowering time, floral morphology, seed set, and biomass. These divergent lines offer a valuable experimental resource for testing hypotheses about pollinator-mediated selection, ecological trade-offs, and trait integration in plants.