Crop wild relative

Hey kiddo! Today we're going to talk about something called "crop wild relative".

You know how we have fruits and vegetables that we love to eat like apples, carrots, and tomatoes? Well, sometimes these plants have cousins called "wild relatives" who don't look or taste quite the same, but they are really important because they can help improve our fruits and vegetables!

These wild relatives are like super helpers for our food plants. They have special traits that can make our fruits and vegetables grow better, taste better, and be more resistant to things like pests, diseases, and climate change.

Scientists and farmers work together to find these wild relatives and learn about their special traits. They then use this information to help improve our food plants. For example, if they find a wild relative of wheat that can grow well in really hot and dry places, they can use that trait to make better wheat that can withstand heat and drought.

So, crop wild relatives may not be as good to eat as our regular fruits and vegetables, but they are really important in helping improve our food and make it better for everyone!