Team of scientists is studying several plant species that they think could become new farm crops. The scientists want to apply selective breeding to develop one of the species into useful crop plants. Which property of a plant species would be MOST USEFUL for meeting the scientists' goal? A. very low genetic variation B. very high genetic variation C. producing only a few fruits and seeds each growing season

B. very high genetic variation

Explanation:

Selective breeding is the process by which crops or animals with desired phenotypic traits are chosen to produce offspring, which will contain the desired qualities. In this case, a group of scientists is trying to apply the principles of selective breeding to develop a particular crop plant.

This goal of producing a useful crop plant by the scientists can only be achieved when the plant species in question possess a HIGH GENETIC VARIATION i.e. difference in genetic constitution of individuals of the same species. This allows the individuals in the population to survive better.