What physiological event, signaled by cold temperatures after the juvenile stage, prepares a cabbage plant for flowering?
Answer
Vernalization
Vernalization is a specific physiological process in biennials like cabbage that links cold exposure to the subsequent initiation of reproduction. If temperatures drop sufficiently low after the plant has reached a specific juvenile size—defined as having a stem diameter of about 6 mm—this cold period signals the plant to prepare for flowering during the following season. This mechanism allows growers in regions experiencing cool seasons, such as parts of the eastern US, to plant without immediately triggering the plant to produce seed stalks.
Related Questions
Which species is the ancestor of cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower?What scientific reason connects the cabbage family to the term Cruciferae?What Old French word is the origin of the English word 'cabbage'?Who set the Guinness World Record for the heaviest cabbage head in 2012?What chemical compound found in cabbage causes its pungent flavor and odor when overcooked?What is the essential function of the high Vitamin K content in cabbage regarding bone health?What physiological event, signaled by cold temperatures after the juvenile stage, prepares a cabbage plant for flowering?What preparation method, famously used by European sailors, helped ward off scurvy?Which cultivar group of cabbage is characterized by crinkled or curly leaves and a mild flavor?What unusual historical use did Chinese culture associate with cabbage regarding male appearance?