Rapid-cycling Brassica rapa, Fast Plants, was developed by Dr. Paul H. Williams, Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of  Wisconsin- Madison. Fast Plants are a product of Dr. Williams' research to improve the disease resistance of plants in the family Cruciferae, a large diverse group that includes mustards, radishes, cabbages, and other cole crops. In order to speed up the genetic research in the crucifers, he began breeding Brassica rapa and six related species from the family Cruciferea for shorter life cycles. The end result was a genetic line of small, prolific, rapid-cycling Brassicas. These plants, now known as "Fast Plants." 

Dr. Williams continued to refine the rapid-cycling Brassicas to have characteristics most suitable for laboratory and classroom use. He selected seed from stock that met the following criteria:

• Shortest time from seeding to flowering 
• Ability to produce seed at high plant density 
• Petite plant type 
• Rapid seed maturation 
• Absence of seed dormancy 
• Ability to grow under continuous fluorescent lighting
• Ability to grow well in a potting mix 
  

After about 20 years of planting, growing, and selecting, his breeding process had reduced a six-month life cycle to five weeks. Further breeding produced relative uniformity in flowering time, size, and growing conditions and yet the Fast Plants retained much variety. Over 150 genetically controlled traits have been recorded and can be useful in experiments. 

Rapid-cycling Brassicas have become a valuable tool for both research and education. 

These Brassicas have shortened traditional breeding programs and aided in cellular and molecular research in the Cruciferae family. Additionally, the Fast Plants have become extremely useful as a teaching tool in the classroom since all aspects of plant growth and development can be easily demonstrated. 

The educational potential for students, kindergarten through college level, to learn more about plant biology through "hands-on" explorations with Fast Plants in the classroom led to the development of the Wisconsin Fast Plants Program. 

Fast Plants seed stocks and growing systems are especially designed to enable teachers to address these broad educational goals:

• Teaching basic concepts of biology 
• Stimulating inquiry and problem solving
• Bringing new excitement into the classroom 

For more information on Fast Plants and its relatives:

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Rapid-Cycling Populations of Brassicas (Science, Vol. 232 (1986), pp.1385-89. 

Phylogeny of Fast Plants