Field dodder (Cuscuta campestris) does not promote nutrient transfer between parasitized host plants

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-521
Author(s):  
Shahla Farzan
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
Nutrient Transfer ◽  
Cuscuta Campestris

scholarly journals Search for Resistant Genotypes to Cuscuta campestris Infection in Two Legume Species, Vicia sativa and Vicia ervilia

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 738
Author(s):  
Eva María Córdoba ◽  
Mónica Fernández-Aparicio ◽  
Clara Isabel González-Verdejo ◽  
Carmela López-Grau ◽  
María del Valle Muñoz-Muñoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Resistance Breeding ◽  
Parasitic Plants ◽  
Vicia Sativa ◽  
Common Vetch ◽  
Germplasm Collections ◽  
Bitter Vetch ◽  
Cuscuta Campestris ◽  
Resistant Genotypes

The dodders (Cuscuta spp.) are parasitic plants that feed on the stems of their host plants. Cuscuta campestris is one of the most damaging parasitic plants for the worldwide agricultural production of broad-leaved crops. Its control is limited or non-existent, therefore resistance breeding is the best alternative both economically and environmentally. Common vetch (Vicia sativa) and bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia) are highly susceptible to C. campestris, but no resistant genotypes have been identified. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify in V. sativa and V.ervilia germplasm collections genotypes resistant to C. campestris infection for use in combating this parasitic plant. Three greenhouse screening were conducted to: (1) identify resistant responses in a collection of 154 accessions of bitter vetch and a collection of 135 accessions of common vetch genotypes against infection of C. campestris; (2) confirm the resistant response identified in common vetch accessions; and (3) characterize the effect of C. campestris infection on biomass of V. sativa resistant and susceptible accessions. Most common vetch and bitter vetch genotypes tested were susceptible to C. campestris. However, the V. sativa genotype Vs.1 exhibited high resistance. The resistant phenotype was characterized by a delay in the development of C. campestris posthaustorial growth and a darkening resembling a hypersensitive-like response at the penetration site. The resistant mechanism was effective in limiting the growth of C. campestris as the ratio of parasite/host shoot dry biomass was more significantly reduced than the rest of the accessions. To the best or our knowledge, this is the first identification of Cuscuta resistance in V. sativa genotypes.

scholarly journals MicroRNAs from the parasitic plant Cuscuta campestris target host messenger RNAs

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saima Shahid ◽  
Gunjune Kim ◽  
Nathan R. Johnson ◽  
Eric Wafula ◽  
Feng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
Messenger Rnas ◽  
Host Gene Expression ◽  
Mrna Accumulation ◽  
Directional Movement ◽  
Plant Mirna ◽  
Cuscuta Campestris ◽  
Target Sites ◽  
Secondary Sirna ◽  
Interfering Rna

First paragraphDodders (Cuscuta spp.) are obligate parasitic plants that obtain water and nutrients from the stems of host plants via specialized feeding structures called haustoria. Dodder haustoria facilitate bi-directional movement of viruses, proteins, and mRNAs between host and parasite1, but the functional effects of these movements are not clear. Here we show that C. campestris haustoria accumulate high levels of many novel microRNAs (miRNAs) while parasitizing Arabidopsis thaliana hosts. Many of these miRNAs are 22 nts long, a usually rare size of plant miRNA associated with amplification of target silencing through secondary small interfering RNA (siRNA) production2. Several A. thaliana mRNAs are targeted by C. campestris 22 nt miRNAs during parasitism, resulting in mRNA cleavage, secondary siRNA production, and decreased mRNA accumulation levels. Hosts with mutations in two of the targets supported significantly higher growth of C. campestris. Homologs of target mRNAs from diverse plants also have predicted target sites to induced C. campestris miRNAs, and the same miRNAs are expressed and active against host targets when C. campestris parasitizes a different host, Nicotiana benthamiana. These data show that C. campestris miRNAs act as trans-species regulators of host gene expression, and suggest that they may act as virulence factors during parasitism.

scholarly journals Parasitism-evoked horizontal gene transfer between plants as a novel trigger for specialized metabolism evolution

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eiichiro Ono ◽  
Kohki Shimizu ◽  
Jun Murata ◽  
Akira Shiraishi ◽  
Ryusuke Yokoyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Metabolic Evolution ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
Cuscuta Campestris ◽  
Genomic Studies ◽  
Biological Impacts

Abstract Recent genomic studies of parasitic plants have revealed that there are numerous footprints indicative of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) to the parasites from their host plants. However, the molecular mechanisms and biological impacts of this phenomenon have remained largely unknown. Here, we made the striking observation that two parasitic dodders, Cuscuta campestris and C. australis, have functional homologues of Si_CYP81Q1, which encodes piperitol/sesamin synthase (PSS) in the phylogenetically remote plant Sesamum indicum (sesame). The apparent lack of sequence similarity between the regions flanking PSS in Sesamum and Cuscuta spp. suggests the occurrence of HGT tightly associated with the PSS gene. Upon parasitism, C. campestris induced expression of the host Si_CYP81Q1 at the parasitic interface and mature and intron-retained Si_CYP81Q1 mRNA was transferred to C. campestris, suggesting that CYP81Q1 was translocated via RNA-mediated HGT. Thus, parasitism-evoked HGT might have had an unexpected role in the metabolic evolution of plants.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF THE INVASIVE CUSCUTA CAMPESTRIS ON VEGETATIVE COVER AND PLANT BIODIVERSITY IN HOMA- BAY COUNTY

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45
Author(s):  
Orwah Akoth ◽  
Okeyo Owuor ◽  
D Nyamai
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
Photosynthetic Capacity ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Plant Biodiversity ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cuscuta Campestris ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: This research paper focused on the impact of Cuscuta campestris on vegetative cover and plant biodiversity in Homa-Bay County. The specific objective was to investigate the impact on plant growth and development with indicator as photosynthetic capacity of preferred host plants and chlorophyll content and leaf weight as the parameters. Methodology: The study was conducted in hot-spot areas of invasion, Rachuonyo North, Homa Bay town and Suba North using Completely Randomized Experimental Block Design. The data was collected through field observation and laboratory analysis. The study used descriptive and correlation data analysis procedures to show the impact on photosynthetic capacity, ANOVA to determine statistical significant difference among the obtained results for each parameter of the infected and uninfected samples. Variance analysis were conducted using SPSS 20 (IBM Corp. Armonk, NY, USA) and differences between means tested by ANOVA. Values of P ≤ 0.05 were considered significantly different. Findings: The results showed that the invasion was more intense in Theveta peruvinia and Euphorbia tirucalli species. Mean leaf amounts of chlorophyll were observed to decline with chlorophyll a from 3.97 to 1.59 mg/g and chlorophyll b from 2.65 to 1.18 mg/g and total chlorophyll value from 6.62 to 2.76 mg/g on infection resulting to reduced photosynthetic efficiency and low organic material formation. Leaf wet and dry weight significantly decreased in both infected varieties. The mean wet weight of 17.61g in infected was significantly different, F (1, 4) = 235.74, p< .05, from the mean wet weight of 24.23g in the uninfected Yellow Oleander while the mean dry weight of 5.55g in infected was significantly different, F (1, 4) = 159.72, p< .05, from mean dry weight of 7.87g in uninfected Yellow Oleander. Similarly, significant difference, F (1, 4) = 714.64, p< .05, was observed in Calliandra calothyrsus variety. These demonstrated how C. campestris is detrimental causing ecological impacts with direct effects on plant biodiversity by reducing growth and development of infected host plant and even leading to death. Unique Contributions to Theory, Practice and Policy: The paper recommends intense sensitization of the community on the impacts of dodder from the findings for an enhanced understanding and need for management and control. The findings to be disseminated through workshops involving farmers, NGOs and community based organisations, academic conferences and publications to help create awareness on the impacts and mobilize the entire public on management and possible total eradication. Further research to investigate on nutrients of attraction in the preferred host plants with an aim of permanent solution for total eradication in order to restore the vegetative cover and plant biodiversity.

scholarly journals A new galling insect model enhances photosynthetic activity in an obligate holoparasitic plant

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryo Murakami ◽  
Ryo Ushima ◽  
Ryoma Sugimoto ◽  
Daisuke Tamaoki ◽  
Ichirou Karahara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formation Process ◽  
Plant Tissue ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Photosynthetic Activity ◽  
Parasitic Plant ◽  
Gall Formation ◽  
Plant Morphogenesis ◽  
Cuscuta Campestris ◽  
Forming Behaviour ◽  
Outer Environment

AbstractInsect-induced galls are microhabitats distinct from the outer environment that support inhabitants by providing improved nutrients, defence against enemies, and other unique features. It is intriguing as to how insects reprogram and modify plant morphogenesis. Because most of the gall systems are formed on trees, it is difficult to maintain them in laboratories and to comprehend the mechanisms operative in them through experimental manipulations. Herein, we propose a new model insect, Smicronyx madaranus, for studying the mechanisms of gall formation. This weevil forms spherical galls on the shoots of Cuscuta campestris, an obligate parasitic plant. We established a stable system for breeding and maintaining this ecologically intriguing insect in the laboratory, and succeeded in detailed analyses of the gall-forming behaviour, gall formation process, and histochemical and physiological features. Parasitic C. campestris depends on host plants for its nutrients, and usually shows low chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity. We demonstrate that S. madaranus-induced galls have significantly increased CO2 absorbance. Moreover, chloroplasts and starch accumulated in gall tissues at locations inhabited by the weevil larvae. These results suggest that the gall-inducing weevils enhance the photosynthetic activity in C. campestris, and modify the plant tissue to a nutrient-rich shelter for them.

scholarly journals The Effect of a Host on the Primary Metabolic Profiling of Cuscuta Campestris’ Main Organs, Haustoria, Stem and Flower

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2098
Author(s):  
Krishna Kumar ◽  
Rachel Amir
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Metabolic Profiling ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Soluble Proteins ◽  
Metabolic Profiles ◽  
Primary Metabolites ◽  
Cuscuta Campestris ◽  
Metabolic Behavior

Cuscuta campestris (dodder) is a stem holoparasitic plant without leaves or roots that parasitizes various types of host plants and causes damage to certain crops worldwide. This study aimed at gaining more knowledge about the effect of the hosts on the parasite’s levels of primary metabolites. To this end, metabolic profiling analyses were performed on the parasite’s three main organs, haustoria, stem and flowers, which developed on three hosts, Heliotropium hirsutissimum, Polygonum equisetiforme and Amaranthus viridis. The results showed significant differences in the metabolic profiles of C. campestris that developed on the different hosts, suggesting that the parasites rely highly on the host’s metabolites. However, changes in the metabolites’ contents between the organs that developed on the same host suggest that the parasite can also self-regulate its metabolites. Flowers, for example, have significantly higher levels of most of the amino acids and sugar acids, while haustoria and stem have higher levels of several sugars and polyols. Determination of total soluble proteins and phenolic compounds showed that the same pattern is detected in the organs unrelated to the hosts. This study contributes to our knowledge about the metabolic behavior of this parasite.

Cuscuta campestris (field dodder).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Parker
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Suitable Host ◽  
Parasitic Weed ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cuscuta Campestris ◽  
The World ◽  
Vegetative Spread ◽  
Warm Temperate

Abstract The parasitic weed C. campestris is native to North America but has been introduced around the world and become a weed in many countries. It is by far the most important of the dodders, perhaps because of its wide host range. This ensures that there is a wide range of crop seeds that may be contaminated, and in which it may be introduced to new areas over both short and long distances. Once introduced it is almost certain that there will be suitable host plants on which it can thrive and be damaging, whether they are crops or wild species. Vegetative spread can be very rapid - up to 5 m in 2 months. It also has a wide tolerance of climatic conditions from warm temperate to sub-tropical and tropical.

Anatomy and ultrastructure of haustoria in selected West Australian parasitic angiosperms

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 690-691
Author(s):  
John Kuo ◽  
John S. Pate
Keyword(s):  
Parasitic Plants ◽  
The Other ◽  
Nutrient Transfer ◽  
Direct Solution ◽  
Tracheary Elements ◽  
Solute Transfer ◽  
Glycol Methacrylate ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Anatomy And Ultrastructure ◽  
Solution Transfer

Our understanding of nutrient transfer between host and flowering parasitic plants is usually based mainly on physiological concepts, with little information on haustorial structure related to function. The aim of this paper is to study the haustorial interface and possible pathways of water and solute transfer between a number of host and parasites.Haustorial tissues were fixed in glutaraldehyde and embedded in glycol methacrylate (LM), or fixed in glutaraldehyde then OsO4 and embedded in Spurr’s resin (TEM).Our study shows that lumen to lumen continuity occurs between tracheary elements of a host and four S.W. Australian species of aerial mistletoes (Fig. 1), and some root hemiparasites (Exocarpos spp. and Anthobolus foveolatus) (Fig. 2). On the other hand, haustorial interfaces of the root hemiparasites Olax phyllanthi and Santalum (2 species) are comprised mainly of parenchyma, as opposed to terminating tracheads or vessels, implying that direct solution transfer between partners via vessels or tracheary elements may be limited (Fig. 3).

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