The Effects of Cross & Self-Fertilisation in the Vegetable KingdomDarwin, Charles
Science
The Effects of Cross & Self-Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom
Darwin, Charles
Fertilization of plants; Plants -- Variation; Pollination
42 2/8 : 22 6/8 : 54 4/8 : 34 4/8.
54 5/8 : 37 4/8 : 51 4/8 : 38 5/8.
39 3/8 : 34 4/8 : 45 : 40 6/8.
53 2/8 : 30 : 43 : 43 2/8.
49 3/8 : 28 6/8 : 43 : 40.
50 3/8 : 31 2/8 : 48 6/8 : 38 2/8.
47 1/8 : 25 4/8 : 44 : 35 6/8.
57 3/8 : 26 2/8 : 48 2/8 : 39 6/8.
37 : 22 3/8 : 55 1/8 : 47 6/8.
48 : 28 : 63 : 58 5/8.
478.75 : 286.86 : 496.13 : 417.25
The twenty tallest crossed plants here average 48.74, and the twenty
tallest self-fertilised 35.2 inches in height; or as 100 to 72. These
plants after being measured were cut down close to the ground, and the
twenty crossed plants weighed 195.75 ounces, and the twenty
self-fertilised plants 123.25 ounces; or as 100 to 63.
In Tables 6/88, 6/89 and 6/90, we have the measurements of fifty-six
plants derived from two plants of the third self-fertilised generation
crossed with pollen from a fresh stock, and of fifty-six plants of the
fourth self-fertilised generation derived from the same two plants.
These crossed and self-fertilised plants were treated in three different
ways, having been put, firstly, into moderately close competition with
one another in pots; secondly, having been subjected to unfavourable
conditions and to very severe competition from being greatly crowded in
two large pots; and thirdly, having been sown separately in open and
good ground, so as not to suffer from any mutual competition. In all
these cases the crossed plants in each lot were greatly superior to the
self-fertilised. This was shown in several ways,--by the earlier
germination of the crossed seeds, by the more rapid growth of the
seedlings whilst quite young, by the earlier flowering of the mature
plants, as well as by the greater height which they ultimately attained.
The superiority of the crossed plants was shown still more plainly when
the two lots were weighed; the weight of the crossed plants to that of
the self-fertilised in the two crowded pots being as 100 to 37. Better
evidence could hardly be desired of the immense advantage derived from a
cross with a fresh stock.
26. PRIMULACEAE.--Cyclamen persicum. (6/5. Cyclamen repandum according
to Lecoq ‘Geographie Botanique de l’Europe’ tome 8 1858 page 150, is
proterandrous, and this I believe to be the case with Cyclamen
persicum.)
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