Members News

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

A new Special Issue of Weed Research, dedicated to parasitic weeds, is now completed. Submissions focusing on all aspects -from biology, physiology and ecology to […]

Striga hermonthica, an obligate root parasitic weed affecting cereal crops, poses a significant threat to global food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Germination of Striga […]

In the temperate rainforests of southern Chile, scientists have uncovered a fascinating relationship between mistletoes and lianas (woody vines). A recent study published in Ecology […]

I am proud to present our new paper on the involvement of strigolactones in sorghum tolerance against Striga, which appeared in Weed Research today. This […]

Weeds are a major challenge in arable farming, vegetable, and fruit production. With increasing restrictions on herbicide use, effective weed management is becoming more difficult. […]

Parasitic plants initiate haustorium formation—a critical step in parasitism and nutrient acquisition—by recognizing haustorium inducing factors (HIFs) from their hosts. However, the mechanisms by which […]

The ability of parasitic plants to withdraw nutrients from their hosts depends on the formation of an infective structure known as the haustorium. How parasites […]