Cross- and self-fertilization of plants - Darwin's experiments and what we know now

Abstract

The scientific work recorded by Darwin in his book on the cross- and self-fertilization of plants is an exemplar of interesting choices, careful technique, decades of work and methodical analyses that provided a plethora of robust results. The conclusions Darwin drew from his studies are, for the most part, valid and still relevant today. They focus primarily on providing data to support Darwin's hypothesis about the nature and importance of the benefits derived from cross-fertilization, although he conceded that a few plants seem to be invariably self-fertilized. The work is also a significant forerunner for the concepts of hybrid vigour and inbreeding depression. A wealth of information relating to flowers, flowering time, pollen efficacy, the results of cross- and self-pollination, the behaviour and impact of insects, seed and seed germination and plant breeding systems is scattered throughout the book. Darwin also related this book to several others he wrote in which some of these topics are included. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London.