International Parasitic Plant Society

Welcome to the homepage of the International Parasitic Plant Society (IPPS). The IPPS is dedicated to advancing scientific research on parasitic plants. Our goals include increasing the understanding of these amazing plants, providing a platform for exchange among and beyond the scientific community as well as helping to decrease the crop damage inflicted by weedy parasitic plants.

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Most recent ‘Parasitic Plant’ publications

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Endozoochory by the cooperation between beetles and ants in the holoparasitic plant Cynomorium songaricum in the deserts of Northwest China Z Wang, H Guan, B Li, Q Zhang, Q Chen, D Wang… - PloS one, 2025 - journals.plos.org Wednesday 12 March 2025 The parasitic plant Cytinus hypocistis [13]. To date, it has been recognized that during the seed dispersal process of parasitic plants with of the parasitic plant habitat [3,8]. domain : journals.plos.org versions : 3

irst report and molecular identification of two new begomovirus strains linked to okra enation leaf curl disease in northern and southern India A Kumar, D Pratap - Australasian Plant Pathology, 2025 - Springer Wednesday 12 March 2025 Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an important vegetable crop of the Malvaceae, extensively grown in the Indian subcontinent. Okra enation leaf curl virus (OELCuV) has domain : link.springer.com

etection of Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus-ES by Real-Time Quantitative PCR D Janssen, L Ruiz García - Geminiviruses: Methods and Protocols, 2025 - Springer Tuesday 11 March 2025 The tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a bipartite, single-stranded DNA begomovirus (genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) that was first identified in domain : link.springer.com versions : 3

irst report of Orobanche crenata on Cucumis melo var. flexuosus in Morocco M El Amri, EM Kadir, ZEA Triqui, M Amri… - Plant Health …, 2025 - Am Phytopath Society Tuesday 11 March 2025 Crenate broomrape (Orobanche crenata) is a root parasitic weed, which causes devastating problems in agricultural production, particularly in Mediterranean countries, domain : apsjournals.apsnet.org

ultiparasitism enables a specialist endoparasitoid to complete parasitism in an unsuitable host caterpillar K Kuramitsu, Y Kainoh, K Konno - Scientific Reports, 2025 - nature.com Sunday 09 March 2025 Parasitoid wasps serve as natural enemies of numerous insect species; therefore, knowledge of host-parasitoid interactions is fundamental for understanding ecosystems. domain : www.nature.com

itness Consequences of Host Switching by Psix Saccharicola, a Stink Bug Egg Parasitoid in Pistachio Orchards A Esmaeili Sardary, F Ranjbar, SL Celis… - Journal of Crop …, 2025 - Springer Sunday 09 March 2025 To successfully implement augmentative biological control, it is imperative to identify the most efficient host for parasitoid rearing and the impact of host switching on domain : link.springer.com

Transforming Parasitic Weeds into Sustainable Natural Dyes: A Study of Wool Dyeing with Orobanche Plant Extract S Sepahi, H Barani, F Khazaee - Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 2025 - Elsevier Saturday 08 March 2025 This study investigates the use of Orobanche plant extract, a parasitic weed that negatively impacts crops, as an innovative and sustainable natural dye for wool fibers. domain : www.sciencedirect.com

oliar symptom-based disease detection in black pepper using convolutional neural network PT Sreethu, MM Paul, PP Gopinath, IL Shahana… - Phytopathology …, 2025 - Springer Friday 07 March 2025 Black pepper is the most important and widely consumed spice in the world. Insects and diseases are the major concerns for black pepper production, among the many domain : link.springer.com versions : 3

istribution and conservation significance of endemic and subendemic species in Orobanchaceae, Plantaginaceae and Scrophulariaceae from Pakistan: Insights for … T Rahim, M Durrani, A Haider, A Sultan… - تاکسونومی و …, 2025‎ - tbj.ui.ac.ir Friday 07 March 2025 In the present work, we compiled checklist comprising 71 endemic plant species in three representative families, Orobanchaceae, Plantaginaceae and Scrophulariaceae domain : tbj.ui.ac.ir versions : 2

Yellow Mosaic Disease: Etiology, Epidemiology, and Host Resistance in Soybean KP Singh, M Borah, S Aravind, K Surbhi… - … Technology: Crop Pests …, 2025 - Springer Wednesday 05 March 2025 Yellow mosaic disease of soybean is caused by two geminiviruses, viz., Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) and Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV). The domain : link.springer.com versions : 2

he Muscodor-Coffee Plant Interaction Promotes Vegetative Growth and Increases Coffee Plant Resistance to Leucoptera coffeella B Mourão, S da Silva Costa Guimarães… - Journal of Soil Science …, 2025 - Springer Wednesday 05 March 2025 Endophytic fungi live harmoniously-associated with plants tissues, and usually offers benefits to the host. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 domain : link.springer.com

Exploring the role of dodder as a potential plant virus vector in natural environments C Julian, V Ravigné, H Fontes, L Blondin, E Fernandez… - 2025 - agritrop.cirad.fr Wednesday 05 March 2025 In contrast, the role of parasitic plants such as dodder (Cuscuta spp.) as plant virus This potential for viral transmission by parasitic plants could provide valuable insights domain : agritrop.cirad.fr versions : 2

orphophysiological and transcriptomic analyses during the development of microspores and megaspores in Orobanche coerulescens K Cui, J Liu, Y Xie, Y Xiao, Y Tian, L Jiang, Y Niu - Frontiers in Plant Science - frontiersin.org Tuesday 04 March 2025 Orobanche coerulescens is a parasitic plant considered as a malignant weed due to its harmful effects on crops. However, its richness in high-value secondary domain : www.frontiersin.org

Soybean Stem Fly: Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner R Pandey, AV Moorthy - Soybean Production Technology: Crop Pests and …, 2025 - Springer Monday 03 March 2025 The soybean stem Melanagromyza sojae (Zehntner) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) fly, a polyphagous pest poses a substantial threat to various plant species within the domain : link.springer.com

acrolophus pygmaeus induces systemic resistance in tomato against Meloidogyne A Expósito, P Urbaneja-Bernat, S Boncompte… - Scientific Reports, 2025 - nature.com Monday 03 March 2025 The ability of Macrolophus pygmaeus to induce systemic resistance in susceptible and Mi1.2 resistant tomato against Meloidogyne spp. was evaluated in 200cm 3 pot domain : www.nature.com

Most recent 'Parasitic Plant' publications

in Scopus

Legume-derived phenolic acids influence Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigae compatibility and biocontrol potential in a Striga push–pull system Mekuria Wolde Assena, Jochen Schöne, Frank Rasche Biological Control, volume 202 Saturday 15 March 2025 Biological control of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. includes push–pull, intercropping using legumes, and soil-borne fungi such as Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigae (FOS). Efficacy of both technologies is compromised by various environmental factors. Combining them could potentially overcome their limitations and enhance control of S. hermonthic... Biological control of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. includes push–pull, intercropping using legumes, and soil-borne fungi such as Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigae (FOS). Efficacy of both technologies is compromised by various environmental factors. Combining them could potentially overcome their limitations and enhance control of S. hermonthica. It was hypothesized that FOS inoculation is compatible with push–pull intercropping, allowing consistent S. hermonthica suppression. Effects of selected phenolic acids and crude root exudates from three legume species (Mucuna pruriens, Desmodium uncinatum, Crotalaria juncea) on FOS mycelial growth and spore germination were studied. Bioassays showed that most phenolic acids (e.g., caffeic, p-hydroxybenzoic, syringic) had no effect on FOS development, except for piperonylic (80 %, 38 %) and t-cinnamic (53 %, 33 %) acids, which strongly inhibited growth at concentrations of 1 and 0.5 mM, respectively. Crude root exudates from Crotalaria inhibited FOS mycelial growth at 1 (44 %) and 0.5 (32 %) mg ml-1. Desmodium and Mucuna exudates showed no inhibition. Greenhouse results showed that legume intercropping and FOS inoculation reduced S. hermonthica emergence, with their integration achieving over 95 % suppression and boosting maize biomass. Legume presence enhanced FOS proliferation, with Mucuna and Desmodium increasing FOS gene copy numbers by over 44 %. LC-MS analysis identified nine phenolic acids, with p-coumaric (85–128 µg g−1) and p-hydroxybenzoic (50–97 µg g−1) acid being most abundant; the latter positively correlated with FOS abundance. In this setting, legume intercropping with maize did not impair FOS proliferation in rhizosphere soil and effectively suppressed S. hermonthica, demonstrating compatibility of FOS inoculation with push–pull for effective S. hermonthica management.
Leaf traits of the mistletoe Erianthemum dregei and its host tree Sclerocarya birrea vary across a rainfall gradient and levels of hemiparasite infection Tsitsi Sithandiwe Maponga, Hilton Garikai Taambuka Ndagurwa, Dave Ian Thompson, Justice Muvengwi, Wayne Twine, Ed T.F. Witkowski Journal of Arid Environments, volume 227 Friday 14 March 2025 Certain trees in semi-arid environments are surpassing their physiological thresholds because of erratic rainfall and rising global temperatures. Mistletoes (Loranthaceae) may also be making large trees more susceptible to the physiological stress imposed by climate change. Therefore, we examined intraspecific variations of selected leaf traits of ... Certain trees in semi-arid environments are surpassing their physiological thresholds because of erratic rainfall and rising global temperatures. Mistletoes (Loranthaceae) may also be making large trees more susceptible to the physiological stress imposed by climate change. Therefore, we examined intraspecific variations of selected leaf traits of the mistletoe, Erianthemum dregei, and Sclerocarya birrea host trees along a rainfall gradient at three levels of mistletoe infection. We measured seven leaf traits across five mistletoe-host pairs at low, medium, and high rainfall sites. Rainfall had significant effects on all measured traits, except host leaf succulence. Hosts were more resource-acquisitive at intermediate rainfall, but more conservative at high rainfall. The reverse is true for mistletoes. Mistletoe infection only had an effect on host leaf area, specific leaf area, and stomatal conductance, but most mistletoe leaf traits were significantly influenced by infection intensity. Uninfected hosts were more resource-conservative, but highly infected hosts were resource-acquisitive. Conversely, mistletoes on low-infected hosts were associated with high resource acquisition, while those on high-infection trees were resource-conservative. Therefore, the antagonistic response of host trees and mistletoes to infection and rainfall suggests the potential for resilience to environmental change.
Report on the complete organelle genomes of Orobanche Filicicola Nakai ex Hyun, Y. S. Lim & H. C. Shin (Orobanchaceae): insights from comparison with Orobanchaceae plant genomes Sang Chul Kim, Eun Su Kang, Tae Hee Kim, Ye Rim Choi, Hyuk Jin Kim BMC Genomics, volume 26 Thursday 13 March 2025 Background: Orobanche is a parasitic plant distributed in the temperate zone of Northern Hemisphere, with approximately 200 species found worldwide. In the Republic of Korea, two species of Orobanche, namely O. coerulescens Stephan ex Willd. and O. filicicola Nakai ex Hyun, Y. S. Lim & H. C. Shin, are present, with O. filicicola being endemic. Geno... Background: Orobanche is a parasitic plant distributed in the temperate zone of Northern Hemisphere, with approximately 200 species found worldwide. In the Republic of Korea, two species of Orobanche, namely O. coerulescens Stephan ex Willd. and O. filicicola Nakai ex Hyun, Y. S. Lim & H. C. Shin, are present, with O. filicicola being endemic. Genome analysis of this species has not yet been performed, and characterizing its complete organelle genome will provide valuable insights into the phylogeny and genome evolution of parasitic plants. Results: The chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes were analyzed, revealing distinct characteristics. The chloroplast genome is 91,529 bp long with a GC content of 33.6%, containing 33 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and 4 rRNA genes. In contrast, the mitochondrial genome is 1,058,991 bp long with a GC content of 45.5%, featuring 31 protein-coding, 16 tRNA, and 3 rRNA genes. The mitochondrial genome has over three times more simple sequence repeats and longer long repeats than the chloroplast genome. Analysis of synonymous codon usage in protein-coding genes from nine Orobanchaceae species revealed significant differences between chloroplasts and mitochondria, with codons ending in A or T exhibiting higher coding rates. Ka/Ks ratio calculations indicated that psbI and atpB had the smallest and largest ratios in chloroplasts, respectively, while ccmFC was identified as the only gene under positive selection in mitochondria genomes. Sequence alignment identified 30 homologous fragments between the two genomes, totaling 7,247 bp. Comparison of O. filicicola’s chloroplast genome with related species showed gene loss and conserved inverted repeat sequences. Numerous homologous collinear blocks were found in mitochondrial genomes of related species, but some regions lacked homology. Phylogenetic analysis indicated identical topologies for chloroplasts and mitochondria, with Orobanchaceae forming a strong monophyletic group. Conclusions: Characterizing the complete organelle genome of O. filicicola enabled a comprehensive analysis of the Orobanchaceae organelle genome, providing important baseline data for its structure and evolution.
Quantum mechanics-based structural analysis of phenolic glycosides from Cuscuta japonica seeds with protective effects against H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf>-induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells Hau Thi Hong Bui, Ajay Uprety, Trung Huy Ngo, Yun Seo Kil, Punam Thapa, Jongseo Mo, Hyukjae Choi, Soo Young Kim, Joo Won Nam Phytochemistry, volume 234 Thursday 13 March 2025 Japanese dodder (Cuscuta japonica Choisy) is a parasitic plant with diverse pharmaceutical properties that has demonstrated great promise for the development of dietary supplements and herbal medicines. A systematic phytochemical investigation of dodder seeds yielded 12 previously undescribed aromatic glycosides (1−12) and eight known constituent... Japanese dodder (Cuscuta japonica Choisy) is a parasitic plant with diverse pharmaceutical properties that has demonstrated great promise for the development of dietary supplements and herbal medicines. A systematic phytochemical investigation of dodder seeds yielded 12 previously undescribed aromatic glycosides (1−12) and eight known constituents (13−20) from various groups, including phenolics, flavonoids, and lignan glycosides. Compound structures were determined using a combination of high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Moreover, quantum mechanics-driven 1H iterative full spin analysis revealed intricate NMR spectral details for the isolated glycosides, including multiplicities and coupling constants that were previously ambiguous, providing crucial insight into the presence of higher-order resonance effects in the sugar units as well as long-range couplings in unsaturated molecules. Furthermore, the abilities of the plant extract as well as compounds 1, 2, 4–7, 10, 11, and 14–20 to restore cell viability and reduce reactive oxygen species production in SH-SY5Y cells suggest that C. japonica and its isolates are potential antioxidant neuroprotective therapeutic candidates.
Cytogenetic comparison of Cuscuta psorothamnensis and C. veatchii (Convolvulaceae), two species originated from recurrent hybridization between the same diploid parents Amalia Ibiapino, Juan Urdampilleta, Miguel A. García, Andrea Pedrosa-Harand, Saša Stefanović, Mihai Costea Plant Systematics and Evolution, volume 311 Wednesday 12 March 2025 Genus Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae) exhibits cases of hybridization and allopolyploidy. Section Denticulatae of subg. Grammica includes four species: the allopolyploids C. veatchii and C. psorothamnensis (2n = 60), which originated from two independent reticulation events between the diploids, C. denticulata and C. nevadensis (2n = 30). The allopolyploi... Genus Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae) exhibits cases of hybridization and allopolyploidy. Section Denticulatae of subg. Grammica includes four species: the allopolyploids C. veatchii and C. psorothamnensis (2n = 60), which originated from two independent reticulation events between the diploids, C. denticulata and C. nevadensis (2n = 30). The allopolyploids are morphologically similar, but differ in their geographical distribution and host specificity. While cytogenetic data have been reported for C. veatchii, this study aims to provide a comparative analysis with C. psorothamnensis. To characterize the chromosomal complement of C. psorothamnensis and compare it with C. veatchii, we used CMA/DAPI banding, FISH, and GISH. The karyotypes of both species displayed similarity in chromosome number, size, symmetry, and interphase nucleus organization. Both species exhibited a pair of 5S and 35S rDNA sites adjacent on the same chromosome. The number of 5S rDNA sites in C. psorothamnensis is variable, with some individuals displaying four, five, and six sites. Our results show: (1) the chromosomal pair carrying adjacent 5S and 35S rDNA in C. denticulata is retained in the polyploids; (2) the loss of C. nevadensis rDNA sites occurred in both tetraploids; (3) C. psorothamnensis and C. veatchii are allopolyploids part of a species complex, originated from successive independent hybridization events between C. denticulata and C. nevadensis; and (4) C. psorothamnensis is probably more recent in origin than C. veatchii based on the degree of diploidization. This cytogenetic comparison allows us to understand the processes involved in the emergence of new polyploid species by hybridization.
Assessment of neuroprotective potential of Cuscuta reflexa in aluminium chloride-induced experimental model of Alzheimer's disease: In vitro and in vivo studies Pallavi Gangarde, Shvetank Bhatt, Rohini Pujari Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, volume 88 Wednesday 12 March 2025 Background & aims: Cuscuta reflexa (family Convolvulaceae), commonly known as giant dodder or Amarbel, is a parasitic plant that has garnered attention in pharmacological research due to its diverse bioactive compounds and potential therapeutic applications. Scientific studies have validated its traditional uses in folk medicine, highlighting its p... Background & aims: Cuscuta reflexa (family Convolvulaceae), commonly known as giant dodder or Amarbel, is a parasitic plant that has garnered attention in pharmacological research due to its diverse bioactive compounds and potential therapeutic applications. Scientific studies have validated its traditional uses in folk medicine, highlighting its pharmacological activities. Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by the buildup of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the brain, leading to synaptic impairment and the gradual loss of neurons. Currently, no effective medication is available to treat the development and progression of the disease. Hence, there is a rising concern about using alternative therapy such as herbal medicine to limit the progression of AD and improve the quality of a patient's life with minimum side effects. The plant Cuscuta reflexa has traditionally been claimed to possess neuroprotective effects but has not yet been validated scientifically. The present study aimed to investigate the potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of Cuscuta reflexa (CRE) to ameliorate the neurodegenerative effect of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) using in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods: The neuroprotective activity of CRE was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo experimental models of AlCl3-induced AD. Results: The in vitro study showed that CRE markedly reduced AlCl3-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. The in vivo study using the AlCl3-induced AD rat model showed that CRE treatment improved learning and memory, as evaluated using the open field test (OFT) and Morris water maze (MWM) test. CRE also showed the reduction in oxidative stress induced by AlCl3 in the brains of the rats by virtue of the significant decrease in oxidative stress biomarker malondialdehyde (MDA) and increase in the antioxidant parameters such as reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Further, CRE exhibited its cholinergic activity by lowering the AlCl3-induced enhanced levels of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brains of rats. Histopathological analysis of the brains of rats showed that CRE treatment prevented the reactive changes and the damage in the neuronal tissue caused due to the AlCl3. Conclusion: Conclusively, CRE ameliorated AlCl3-induced neurobehavioural toxicity in the rat model of AD by virtue of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cholinergic and neuroprotective effects which suggests its use in the treatment of progressive neural damage and cognitive deficits in AD patients.
Parasitic plants are models for examining global food security, biodiversity loss and host–parasite evolution, in a changing world Steven Runo, Susann Wicke, Chris Thorogood Plants People Planet, volume 7, pages 303-307 Wednesday 12 March 2025 dc:description
Elucidating the evolutionary dynamics of parasitism in Cuscuta: in-depth phylogenetic reconstruction and extensive plastomes reduction Sivagami Jean Claude, Kashish Kamra, Joonhyung Jung, Hye One Kim, Joo Hwan Kim BMC Genomics, volume 26 Tuesday 11 March 2025 Background: The genus Cuscuta L. (Convolvulaceae), commonly known as dodder, is a holoparasite plant that relies on host plants for nutrition, leading to significant genomic changes, particularly in plastomes. This dependency has led to significant reductions and modifications in their plastomes compared to autotrophic plants. In contrast to the we... Background: The genus Cuscuta L. (Convolvulaceae), commonly known as dodder, is a holoparasite plant that relies on host plants for nutrition, leading to significant genomic changes, particularly in plastomes. This dependency has led to significant reductions and modifications in their plastomes compared to autotrophic plants. In contrast to the well-conserved plastomes of photosynthetic plants, Cuscuta exhibits substantial genomic reductions reflecting the loss of photosynthetic functions and associated genes. Result: This study examines eight plastomes within Cuscuta and reconstructs the phylogenetic relationships among 40 Cuscuta taxa using five other genera as an outgroup. The size of plastid genome varies significantly, with the smallest being 60 kb and the largest 121 kb, highlighting extensive genomic reduction. In special cases, the subgenera Cuscuta exhibit the loss of inverted repeats, distinguishing from them other subge within the Cuscuta genus. This reduction is most pronounced in genes related to photosynthesis, such as atp, pet, psa, psb, and ycf genes, particularly in the subg. Grammica (Lour.) Peter. The study also notes the frequent and independent loss of the plastid genes infA, rpl23, rpl32, rps15, and rps16 across various angiosperm lineages, often involving transfer to the nuclear genome. In parasitic plants like Cuscuta, the ndh genes, crucial for photosynthesis, are often lost. The study also highlights that in the subg. Grammica, the matK and rpo genes, along with trnR-ACG genes, are lost in parallel, indicating that these parasitic plants do not need matK and rpo genes after the loss of ndh genes for survival. Analysis of selective relaxation pressure on plastid genes shows a reductive trend, with genes such as atp, pet, psa, psb, rpo, and ycf progressively becoming pseudogenes over time, with housekeeping genes like rpl and rps expected to follow. However, the pseudogenization process is specific to the subg. Grammica, Pachystigma (Engelm.) Baker & C.H.Wright, and Cuscuta, rather than in the subg. Monogynella (Des Moul.) Peter, Engl. & Prantl (ancient clade species). Conclusion: The study of Cuscuta plastomes reveals the profound impact of parasitism on genome evolution, highlighting the complex interplay of gene retention and loss through phylogenomic approaches. This research enriches our understanding of plant genome evolution and the intricate host-parasite relationships. It also sheds light on the evolutionary history and genomic adaptations of Cuscuta, illustrating the diverse strategies enabling subg. Grammica, Pachystigma, Cuscuta, and Monogynella thrive as parasitic species. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying parasitism and its impact on plastid genome organization.
Mistletoe on urban trees in the city of Vienna, Austria Yuliia Bilonozhko, Olha Tokarieva, Berthold Heinze, Jonathan Feichter, Andrea Kodym Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, volume 107 Tuesday 11 March 2025 A study of mistletoe on urban trees was conducted in Vienna, Austria, with the aim to determine the degree of mistletoe infection, and to identify host species that are highly susceptible or alternatively, resistant to mistletoe parasitism. At the same time, the dependence of mistletoe (Loranthus europaeus L; Viscum album L) occurrence on various f... A study of mistletoe on urban trees was conducted in Vienna, Austria, with the aim to determine the degree of mistletoe infection, and to identify host species that are highly susceptible or alternatively, resistant to mistletoe parasitism. At the same time, the dependence of mistletoe (Loranthus europaeus L; Viscum album L) occurrence on various factors was investigated. For this purpose, the tree cadastre of the city of Vienna was evaluated (the record is about 213,841 trees) and the Botanic Garden of the University of Vienna was visited. New host trees, not known in the literature, were described for the first time. The apparent spreading of mistletoes cannot be traced to a single factor; several are important and interacting. It could be shown that the presence of mistletoe in cities is closely related to the species of host tree, the location, the growing density of the trees, the age of the trees, as well as tree height. The host trees often showed marked adaptation of native tree species to mistletoe (i.e., fewer infections) and significant infection in introduced tree species. In some species, certain cultivars may be resistant or less susceptible to mistletoe than others. Among the damage or diseases observed on trees infected by mistletoe, bark damage occurred most frequently. Determining the distribution of mistletoe and the underlying factors is of great importance for green space management in cities, especially in relation to climate change.
Striga asiatica (L.) O. Kuntze: A systematic review of morphology, traditional uses, phytochemistry, quality control, pharmacology, and modern applications Kaixin Wei, Siqi Tang, Hao Huang, Shimeng Yan, Jianyong Xing, Xiaojun Li South African Journal of Botany, volume 179, pages 160-178 Tuesday 11 March 2025 Background: Striga asiatica (L.) O. Kuntze (Orobanchaceae) is a traditional Chinese herb, which is also known as Du-jiao-jin, Du-jiao-gan, and Gan-ji-cao in Chinese. It invigorates the spleen, eliminates infantile malnutrition, clears heat and kills parasites, and it has been used as a medicine for the treatment of indigestion, malnutrition, night ... Background: Striga asiatica (L.) O. Kuntze (Orobanchaceae) is a traditional Chinese herb, which is also known as Du-jiao-jin, Du-jiao-gan, and Gan-ji-cao in Chinese. It invigorates the spleen, eliminates infantile malnutrition, clears heat and kills parasites, and it has been used as a medicine for the treatment of indigestion, malnutrition, night blindness, summer fever, diarrhea, jaundice hepatitis, throat itching, cough, and parasitic diseases in children. Aim: The purpose of this review is to provide extensive information on the research progress of S. asiatica, which includes morphology, seed characteristics, authentication and quality evaluation, traditional uses, phytochemistry, quality control, pharmacology and modern applications. Methods: Scientific databases, such as Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar and SciFinder, along with the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were searched to obtain relevant literature. Additionally, monographs, Flora of China and the Chinese pharmacopoeia were consulted as sources of reference. Results: This review revealed that S. asiatica seeds have unique germination characteristics, which are promoted by a variety of germination stimuli, including mainly host secretions and chemical stimuli. Moreover, 85 compounds have been isolated and identified from S. asiatica, including flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, steroids, organic acids, polysaccharides and other compounds. The in vivo and in vitro pharmacological effects of S. asiatica extracts or compounds have been proven to include a wide range of activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimalarial, cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifertility, and antiandrogenic activities. Moreover, some modern pharmacological investigations and clinical practices have proved that S. asiatica has marked therapeutic efficacy for infantile malnutrition, inflammation and parasitic diseases. Conclusions: In the future, further studies on S. asiatica should focus on the seed germination mechanism, phytochemistry, quality control, toxicity, and pharmacological mechanism.
Impact of pollution on microbiological dynamics in the pistil stigmas of Orobanche lutea flowers (Orobanchaceae) Karolina Wiśniewska, Sebastian Wojciech Przemieniecki, Krzysztof Krawczyk, Anna Hoffmann, Renata Piwowarczyk Scientific Reports, volume 15 Monday 10 March 2025 Our understanding of the basic relationships of microbiota associated with flowers is still quite limited, especially regarding parasitic plant species. The transient nature of flower parts such as pistil stigmas provides a unique opportunity for temporal investigations. This is the first report of the analysis of bacterial and fungal communities a... Our understanding of the basic relationships of microbiota associated with flowers is still quite limited, especially regarding parasitic plant species. The transient nature of flower parts such as pistil stigmas provides a unique opportunity for temporal investigations. This is the first report of the analysis of bacterial and fungal communities associated with the pistil stigmas of the lucerne parasite, Orobanche lutea. We compared the microorganism communities at different developmental stages and assessed the impact of pollution at the sampling sites. We also examined the plant growth properties (PGP) of bacteria in a culture-dependent analysis. The predominant colonizers of the pistil stigmas were Proteobacteria (99.25%), with Enterobacteriaceae (49.88%) and Pseudomonadaceae (48.28%) being the major families. The prevalent fungal phylum was Basidiomycota (71.64%), with Filobasidiales (33.14%) and Tremellales (27.27%) as dominant orders. Microbial populations in polluted area showed increased bacterial and fungal diversity. Mature stigmas exhibited greater microbial variety compared to immature ones. We found higher fungal than bacteria abundance at both polluted and unpolluted sites. In culture-dependent analysis, immature stigmas from unpolluted area had the least bacterial morphotypes. Identified culturable bacteria represented the Acinetobacter, Erwinia, Micrococcus, Oceanobacillus, Pantoea, Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Staphylococcus genera. The assessment of PGP traits revealed multiple strains with plant growth-promoting potential. Microbial composition varied between polluted and unpolluted sites and was influenced by the flower’s developmental stage.
Climate-driven increase in mistletoe infestation in Iberian pine forests Sira Suárez-Herrera, Daniel Moreno-Fernández, Isabel Cañellas, Iciar Alberdi, Laura Hernández Mateo, Nerea Oliveira, Fernando Montes, Patricia Adame Forest Ecology and Management, volume 582 Monday 10 March 2025 Mistletoe is a common hemiparasitic plant in forest in Spain. However, more studies on mistletoe infestations are needed to determine the spatial and temporal patterns and to develop control and monitoring programmes for forest health. For this purpose, we used harmonised data from three existing forest damage networks in Spain, including ICP-Fores... Mistletoe is a common hemiparasitic plant in forest in Spain. However, more studies on mistletoe infestations are needed to determine the spatial and temporal patterns and to develop control and monitoring programmes for forest health. For this purpose, we used harmonised data from three existing forest damage networks in Spain, including ICP-Forest, from which only national data was taken, including climatic variables to model the distribution and to predict the degree of mistletoe infection using geostatistical techniques. Having selected the variables, the spatial models were evaluated using the area under the curve statistic to predict the distribution area (AUC=0.99) and one-out cross-validation to predict the degree of infection in areas with mistletoe presence. Overall, 87 % of the pine forest area is free of mistletoe. Within the affected distribution area, the Alpine region (23 %) has the highest percentage of area affected, followed by the Mediterranean region (14 %), with no records available in the Atlantic region. Regarding mistletoe abundance, the variation throughout the study period according to damage-degree class reveals a decrease of 18.2 % in “slight” class, a decrease of 2 % in “moderate” class, an increase of 15 % in “moderate-high” class and an increase of 5.2 % in “severe” class. Our results indicate that the incidence and severity of mistletoe infection are highly spatially concentrated and strongly related to climatic conditions, especially temperature and precipitation in previous years. Prediction maps showing the spatial patterns of mistletoe distribution can be useful for damage prevention and risk control.
Together but not mixed: mistletoe genetic diversity and seed disperser activity between evergreen and deciduous forests Gabriela S. Olivares, José I. Orellana, Noemí Rojas-Hernández, Caren Vega-Retter, Javiera Villarroel, Gloria B. Rodríguez-Gómez, Roberto F. Nespolo, Francisco E. Fontúrbel Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, volume 66 Monday 10 March 2025 Habitat structure plays an important role in determining forest mammals' abundance and activity patterns, impacting their interactions with plant species. In the southern South American temperate rainforests, two mistletoe species (Tristerix corymbosus and Desmaria mutabilis) depend on the arboreal marsupial Dromiciops bozinovici for seed dispersal... Habitat structure plays an important role in determining forest mammals' abundance and activity patterns, impacting their interactions with plant species. In the southern South American temperate rainforests, two mistletoe species (Tristerix corymbosus and Desmaria mutabilis) depend on the arboreal marsupial Dromiciops bozinovici for seed dispersal, inhabiting a mosaic of evergreen and deciduous Nothofagus-Araucaria forests. We used camera traps to compare marsupial abundance, visitation rates, and daily activity patterns between evergreen and deciduous forests. Also, we sequenced DNA (using SNPs) from both mistletoes to assess their genetic diversity, population genetic structure, and landscape genetics. Dromiciops bozinovici visited T. corymbosus more frequently in the evergreen forest and D. mutabilis in the deciduous forest, as it is the only mistletoe species found above 1250 m of elevation. Both mistletoe species showed similar genetic diversity between forest types, but T. corymbosus was more diverse than D. mutabilis; population structure was weak but significant in both cases. In both cases, gene flow was stronger towards the evergreen forest, and this asymmetry was more pronounced for D. mutabilis. Also, geographic and genetic distances were positively correlated except for D. mutabilis in the deciduous forest. Dromiciops bozinovici activity and abundance varied according to forest type and mistletoe species associated, which seem to be influencing gene flow and genetic diversity patterns. Interaction between plants and frugivores is particularly relevant in high-mountain forests, where mistletoes provide major resources for frugivores, which shape their spatial and genetic structures.
Interaction of Intercropped Common Bean and NPS Blended Fertilizer application reduced the severity of Striga hermontica infestation and enhanced the productivity of Sorghum in Fedis, Eastern Ethiopia Lemma Degebasa, Taye Tessema, Zelalem Bekeko, Ketema Belete Phytoparasitica, volume 53 Sunday 09 March 2025 Sorghum is the main staple crop grown for food and feed in eastern Ethiopia. However, in the majorities of sorghum- producing areas of this area the parasitic weed, Striga hermonthica is the main bottleneck in reducing the productivity of the crop. Hence, in 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons field experiments were conducted in Fedis district, eastern ... Sorghum is the main staple crop grown for food and feed in eastern Ethiopia. However, in the majorities of sorghum- producing areas of this area the parasitic weed, Striga hermonthica is the main bottleneck in reducing the productivity of the crop. Hence, in 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons field experiments were conducted in Fedis district, eastern Ethiopia to assess the interaction effects of common bean intercropping and blended NPS fertilizer on severity reduction of the weed and productivity of the crop. The treatment combinations consisted of four levels of NPS blended fertilizer (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1 NPS) in a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications, using susceptible sorghum variety (Teshale) and common bean variety (Dursitu), with planting densities of (25%, 50%, and 75%). Results from the analysis of variance indicated that treatment interactions on Striga infestation caused highly significant (p < 0.001) changes. The combination of 50% common bean and 100 kg ha-1 NPS blended fertilizer application resulted in the lowest Striga count (2 Striga shoots) per plot, whereas the single planted susceptible sorghum variety (Teshale) produced the highest Striga count (8 Striga shoots) per plot. The main findings of this study consequently indicated that the host crop (sorghum) was supported by a 60% reduction in Striga hermonthica severity level when NPS fertilizer and common bean were combined. The combination of 50% common bean planting density and 100 kg NPS ha−1 blended fertilizer application yielded the maximum (2.54 t ha−1) grain yield of sorghum, while the control plot produced the lowest (0.98 t ha-1) grain yield. Hence, farmers in the study area could manage Striga and improve sorghum productivity through the combination of common bean with NPS blended fertilizer under natural Striga infestation.
Genetic Admixture and Novel Host Shifts in a Parasitic Plant, Orobanche boninsimae (Orobanchaceae), Endemic to the Ogasawara Islands Akihiro Nishimura, Koji Takayama Molecular Ecology, volume 34 Sunday 09 March 2025 Parasitic plants depend on other plants for nutrients and water and have undergone evolutionary processes tightly linked to their host range. As parasitic adaptations specialise host range, host shifts between parasite lineages are considered essential events that can lead to genetic differentiation and speciation. A thorough examination of populat... Parasitic plants depend on other plants for nutrients and water and have undergone evolutionary processes tightly linked to their host range. As parasitic adaptations specialise host range, host shifts between parasite lineages are considered essential events that can lead to genetic differentiation and speciation. A thorough examination of population genealogy covering the entire host range is imperative to comprehend the impact of host-shift evolution on parasitic plant species diversity. Therefore, we investigated the population genetic structure of Orobanche boninsimae (Orobanchaceae), an endemic parasitic plant in the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands. The host species of O. boninsimae are entirely distinct from those of other Orobanche species and show differences between geographically isolated islands, even though the host species coexist in some localities. Genetic differentiation was observed among populations from different islands, corresponding to variations in the host range of O. boninsimae. Demographic analysis supported a scenario in which populations on the southern island emerged through the admixture of populations parasitic on the different host species from the northern islands. This suggests a progressive colonisation process, wherein continental ancestors established in the northern islands underwent a host shift, followed by the migration of a lineage to the southern island. Notably, host shift across islands may have occurred through the admixture of populations. These findings provide a foundation for elucidating the roles of host plants and geographical isolation in the speciation of parasitic plants and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms driving parasitic plant diversification.

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; International Parasitic Plant Society @PlantsParasitic ·

11 Mar 1899275713938665718

"Striga hermonthica induces lignin deposition at the root tip to facilitate prehaustorium formation and obligate parasitism" by Songkui Cui

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Striga hermonthica induces lignin deposition at the root tip to facilitate prehaustorium formation...

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10 Mar 1899147583613763611

The latest episode of APS' Plantopia #podcast discusses plant parasitic #nematodes in vegetable, fruit, and field crops. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Xzrm3w.

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5 Mar 1897217447641391568

"A long-distance inhibitory system regulates haustoria numbers in parasitic plants" by Charles Melnyk

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A long-distance inhibitory system regulates haustoria numbers in parasitic plants - International...

The ability of parasitic plants to withdraw nutrients from their hosts depends on the formation of an infective st...

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4 Mar 1896728785937916282

"Forest type shapes marsupial behavior and mistletoe genetics in Southern temperate rainforests" by Francisco E. Fonturbel

Preview: A recent study by Gabriela S. Olivares et al., conducted in the southern South American…

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Forest type shapes marsupial behavior and mistletoe genetics in Southern temperate rainforests -...

A recent study by Gabriela S. Olivares et al., conducted in the southern South American temperate rainforests, revea...

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