On the polymorphism of cyanogenesis in Lotus corniculatus L.: III. Some aspects of selection

Abstract

1. The character of cyanogenesis appears to play little or no part in determining whether mature Lotuscorniculatus plants survive either winter or summer conditions. 2. Scandinavian plants appear to be less suited to summer conditions in England than do British plants. 3. There is no difference between cyanogenic and acyanogenic plants in their ability to survive from seed to maturity under horticultural management. 4. A strong correlation between the frequency of the allele determining cyanogenic glucosides and the allele determining the -glucosidase has been demonstrated for populations of Lotus corniculatus. 5. The role of temperature in the maintenance of the polymorphism of cyanogenesis in Trfo1ium rep ens and Lotus corniculatus is discussed and an explanation of the differences observed is suggested. © 1970, The Genetical Society of Great Britain. All rights reserved.