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| Studies on the Origin of Brassica alboglabra Bailey |
| ZHANG Ping-zhen |
| Courtyard No.59 West Dawang Road,Chaoyang District,Beijing 100022,China |
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Abstract Brassica alboglabra Bailey belonns to Cruciferae.It is a vegetable of kale kind,such as cabbage,Chinese kale,savoy cabbage,brussels sprouts,kohlrabi and cauliflower,etc.As everybody knows kale came from wild cabbage grown in the areas of the Mediterranean Sea.However,there was another saying:kale came from both southern China and the Mediterranean Sea areas.According to the record of ancient literature in China,Brassica alboglabra Bailey originated from southern China.Early in the 5th and 6th Century AD,during the Northern and Southern Dynasties,the Brassica oleracea L.which could be eaten as vegetable came from its originated region through central Asia into China.It was called‘cabbage from the western world’.Thereafter,in Guangdong region under subtropical climate condition by gene mutation and through long period of artificial selection,it becomes Brassica alboglabra Bailey.Its tender leaves and flower buds are edible.Times for Brassica alboglabra Bailey originating was no later than 7th Century AD,when the Tang Dynasty was just starting.This saying was one century earlier than the prevalent talking.The author deems Brassica alboglabra Bailey is the mutation of Brassica oleracea L.Its scientific name should be Brassica oleracea var.alboglabra Bailey.Since Brassica alboglabra Bailey has no parental relation with mustard,its English name should be Chinese kale,which is better than Whiteglabrous mustara.
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Received: 12 December 2008
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