%0 Thesis %A COWAN, MAXIM FERGUS %D 2019 %T Heritability and plasticity of cyanogenesis in wild and domesticated sorghum %U https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/thesis/Heritability_and_plasticity_of_cyanogenesis_in_wild_and_domesticated_sorghum/11301887 %R 10.26180/5de442e86c99e %2 https://bridges.monash.edu/ndownloader/files/20030093 %K Plant Metabolism %K Domestication %K Crop Improvement %K Cyanogenesis %K Sorghum %K Drought %K Plant Physiology %K Plant Biology %X The crop plant sorghum can generate hydrogen cyanide as a defence against herbivores, in a process known as cyanogenesis. This thesis explores the diversity and evolution of cyanogenesis in domesticated and closely related wild species of sorghum. It contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that compounds in the cyanogenic pathway are not restricted to purely defensive roles. The findings provide insights into the use of wild species as a way to improve the performance of crop species. %I Monash University