XXX.—Pollination and Seed Production in the Rye-Grasses (Lolium perenneandLolium italicum)

Abstract

Various selective agents exert their influence on the processes governing the survival of new forms within an established plant group. As the balance of these agents changes so also will the genetic composition of the plant group change. Environmental conditions undoubtedly permit and direct evolution, but apparently the action of the environment is mainly selective in nature, and, although not directly concerned in the production of new growthforms, it aids the survival of suitable forms by establishing a certain amount of genotype isolation. Amongst the various selective agents whose action is confined to the direct selection of genotypes, or phenotypes and therefore indirectly of genotypes, there is the important question of pollination and fertilisation. As the very existence of individuals depends on compatible fertilisation, the investigation of the problem of pollination and fertilisation obtaining within a plant group is essential preparatory to any study of the survival of individuals within that plant group.