Definition of cyanogenesis in English:
cyanogenesis
nounˌsʌɪənə(ʊ)ˈdʒɛnɪsɪsˌsīənōˈjenəsis
mass nounBotany The production of hydrogen cyanide by certain plants, such as cherry laurel and bracken, as a response to wounding or a deterrent to herbivores.
Example sentencesExamples
- Grazing by large herbivores does not favour cyanogenesis, but some invertebrate herbivory may do so.
- Defoliation by lepidoptera can induce cyanogenesis in some plants resulting in cyanide levels high enough to kill cattle.
- The findings from this project may also ultimately be useful for controlling cyanogenesis in cassava.
- However, early growth of S. litura larva was reduced 36% on Huia plants, and this was attributed to the greater cyanogenesis.
- For many years I have been interested in the ecological genetics of cyanogenesis in plants.