Cauliflower, the nutrient-dense vegetable that graces dinner tables around the world, has a fascinating evolutionary history that has eluded scientists until recently. Though it has long been believed that cauliflower resulted from selective breeding by Mediterranean farmers over two thousand years ago, the specifics of its transformation from broccoli were shrouded in mystery. This enigma has been significantly clarified by a groundbreaking genetic study spearheaded by plant-breeding experts at the Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, among other collaborators.The research project, substantial in its scope, involved an in-depth analysis of 971 cauliflower genomes and related plants. Published in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics, the study resulted in a high-quality genomic variation map for cauliflower, which played a considerable role in uncovering the evolutionary steps of this versatile vegetable. Investigators discovered that cauliflower underwent a step-wise evolution, emerging from its close relative, broccoli.
