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Cyanogenesis in animal-plant interactions.
1Department of Plant Biology and Genetics, University of Hull, UK.
Ciba Foundation Symposium
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Cyanogenesis, the release of hydrogen cyanide, deters herbivores from feeding on plants like Lotus corniculatus. This plant defense mechanism, though not highly effective, is triggered by physical damage.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Ecology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Polymorphism for cyanogenesis in Lotus corniculatus and Trifolium repens suggests a role in plant defense.
- Herbivore-plant interactions are complex, influenced by animal hunger and diet.
- Cyanogenesis involves the release of carbonyl compounds, not hydrogen cyanide itself, as the primary deterrent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the defensive function of cyanogenesis in plants.
- To understand the role of cyanogenesis in herbivore-plant interactions.
- To elucidate the specific compounds responsible for the deterrent effect.
Main Methods:
- Observational studies on cyanogenesis polymorphism in Lotus corniculatus and Trifolium repens.
- Analysis of herbivore feeding selectivity and its influencing factors.
- Identification of deterrent compounds released during cyanogenesis.
Main Results:
- Cyanogenesis polymorphism provides evidence for its importance in plant defense.
- Deterrent effects of cyanogenesis occur during the feeding stage, primarily due to released carbonyl compounds.
- Cyanogenesis is a conservative defense system, requiring physical damage and not involving pre-damage volatile cues.
Conclusions:
- Cyanogenesis plays a significant role in plant defense against herbivores.
- The carbonyl compounds released during cyanogenesis are the active deterrents.
- This defense mechanism is conservative and not detectable by herbivores prior to plant damage.