In the dry landscapes of Chile, two mistletoe species are proving that teamwork pays off—even for parasitic plants. A new study reveals that Tristerix aphyllus and Tristerix verticillatus, although competitors for pollinators and seed dispersers, actually help each other thrive when living side by side. Using camera traps over a two-year period, we found that […]
The plant growth regulator zaxinone is essential for proper rice growth and development. Additionally, zaxinone and its two synthetic mimics, MiZax3 and MiZax5, have been shown to significantly promote crop growth and reduce infestation by the root parasitic plant Striga by suppressing strigolactone (SL) production, highlighting their potential for field application. Here, we developed 4 […]
Leaf shedding is a very common trait among plant species inhabiting dry ecosystems. However, mistletoes typically retain their leaves year-round, as they rely on leaf transpiration to pull resources from the host’s vascular system. Only a few species with a deciduous habit have been described—four species in the Loranthaceae family and all eight species of […]
Strigolactones are germination stimulants of many of the Orobanchaceae parasitic plants. Strigolactones biosynthetically derive from the carotenoids, which defines them to belong to the chemical class of the isoprenoids. In a brand new review, entitled “The role of isoprenoids in the chemical interaction between plants and other organisms in their rhizosphere”, we discuss the role […]
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) aims to end poverty by ensuring that everyone’s basic needs are met for healthy and happy life. Farming can help lift entire communities out of poverty because it provides farmers with enough food to eat and sell to others. Science helps address important challenges to farming, […]
We sequenced the genomes of three Orobanche species with different host ranges: O. minor (generalist), O. gracilis (Fabaceae-specific), and O. hederae (ivy-specific with some flexibility within Araliaceae). O. gracilis showed expanded protein-degrading and carbohydrate-active enzyme families, while putative strigolactone receptor (KAI2d) numbers varied from five in specialists to eleven in the generalist O. minor. https://doi.org/10.1093/pcp/pcaf047 […]
A recent study highlights the surprising role of a native Chilean mistletoe, Tristerix corymbosus, in combating invasive tree species in urban environments. This parasitic plant, known for its vibrant red flowers, typically infests native trees but has shifted to fast-growing non-native hosts, such as Populus and Acacia species. We found that T. corymbosus thrives on these invaders, growing larger and more abundant […]
Branched broomrape (Phelipanche ramosa (L.) Pomel), an obligate parasitic weed with a wide host range, is known for its devasting effects on many crops worldwide. Soil fungi, notably Fusarium sp., are described as pathogenic to broomrape, while the hypothesis of the phytotoxicity of fusaric acid produced by F. verticillioides for parasitic weeds of the genus Orobanche has been proposed. Using image analysis […]
SURVEY 📝 Weeds are high on the list of production-limiting factors in arable farming, fruit and vegetable cultivation. Changing social perceptions and stricter requirements regarding the use of pesticides are putting pressure on effective management of weeds. In a more general sense, the transition to more sustainable agriculture, as well as climate change, may cause […]
I am happy with this product of longterm collaboration with Pooja Bhatnagar. Here we used gene editing to reduce germination stimulant production in sorghum, which enhanced resistance to Striga infection. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a primary food staple grain for millions in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is mainly constrained by the parasitic weed Striga, […]