Application of Brassica plants as materials during the teaching of genetics experiment

The Brassica genus includes three diploid species and three amphidiploid species which were formed by the hybridization and genome duplication between pairs of the three diploid species. The evolution process of Brassica species has been used as a classic case to explain the mechanism of speciation and chromosome number variation in undergraduate genetics teaching. In this study, the authors designed a comprehensive experiment using Brassica plants as the experimental teaching material of genetics. The experimental system includes morphological observation, chromosome observation, and analysis of chromosome ploidy and karyotype. This experimental system includes experiments from macro to micro, will help students to understand the relationship between chromosome ploidy and speciation, and will help them to master the theory of polyploid formation and its application in breeding practice.