Växtsorten

Växtsorten, a Swedish term, refers to cultivated plant varieties. These are distinct groups of plants within a species, distinguished by specific characteristics such as flower color, fruit yield, disease resistance, or growth habit. Unlike wild species, växtsorten are intentionally developed and maintained through human selection and breeding for desirable traits.

The development of växtsorten has a long history, dating back to early agriculture when farmers selected plants with superior qualities to propagate. Modern plant breeding continues this tradition, utilizing both traditional cross-pollination and advanced genetic techniques. Each växtsorten is often given a unique name, which can include a cultivar name, often capitalized and sometimes enclosed in quotation marks, to differentiate it from other varieties of the same species. For example, within the species *Malus domestica* (apple tree), there are numerous växtsorter like 'Granny Smith' or 'Fuji'.

These cultivated varieties are crucial for agriculture, horticulture, and forestry, providing a diverse range of crops, ornamental plants, and timber. They allow for specialized cultivation in different climates and for specific purposes, contributing significantly to food security and landscape aesthetics. The preservation and registration of växtsorter are important to maintain genetic diversity and protect intellectual property rights of breeders.