Ecological approach of cyanogenesis cost in Trifolium repens

The acyanogenetic form ( ac / li ) of Trifolium repens is more grazed than the cyanogenetic form (Ac / li) although the acyanogenetic form is more frequent in the Trifolium ‘s populations. This fact could be explained by the cyanogenetic cost which seems to affect all the parameters of growth especially the ability of the reproduction of Trifolium repens. Measurements of flowers ‘ number per plant took place from April till August, in plants which were planted in pots of 3L volume , in pure stand and in mixed ( under low density were 1 00, 150, 200 plant / m2 and under high density 200, 400, 600 plant / m2 ). The results of these experiments were the following :
( a ) The number of flowers per plant decreased vs the density faster in the cyanogenetic form than the acyanogenetic one.
( b ) The number of flowers per plant after the first cutting seems to be increased especially in the acyanogenetic fonn and
( c ) The mixture of the two forms seems to favor the production of flowers in the acyanogenetic form.