Heritability and plasticity of cyanogenesis in wild and domesticated sorghum

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.