in order to develop new means for parasitic weed control. A basic research should
identify new targets for control within the life cycle of the parasites and among
their metabolic activities.
Keywords
Field dodder · Host plant · Life cycle · Metabolic activities
Abbreviations
chl a/b Ratio of chlorophyll a to b
DAI
Days after infestation
Fm
Maximal fluorescence
Fo
Minimum fluorescence
Fv
Variable fluorescence
Fv/Fm Maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II
HLR
Hypersensitive-like response
IF
Intensity of fluorescence
RCC
Relative chlorophyll content
TCC
Total chlorophyll content
Ф PSII
Effective fluorescence yield of photosystem II
1
Introduction
Plants of the genus Cuscuta (common name: dodder) are obligate holoparasitic
species. Dodders are the most important group of parasitic weeds in the world,
inhabiting virtually every continent and causing sweeping damage to both crop and
non-crop species [1]. Agriculturally, the most important Cuscuta species are
C. campestris and C. pentagona, which show an almost worldwide distribution
and have a wide host spectrum. Field dodder (C. campestris) parasitizes many
different plants, inducing negative impacts on the growth and yield of infested
hosts, and has significant effects on the structure and function of plant communities
that are infested by these holoparasites [2, 3]. Parasitic plants fuse to host vascular
systems (xylem and phloem) via a specified organ present in all parasitic plants, the
haustorium. This organ serves as the structural and physiological bridge for the
parasites to withdraw water, minerals and organic molecules, and solutes from host
plant conductive systems, leading to severe host growth and yield reduction [4]. Parasitic plants of the genus Cuscuta either have no chlorophyll at all, or merely low
amounts of it, or usually do not have a photosynthetic activity [5, 6]. However, all
Cuscuta species fully depend on host plants to complete their life cycle and therefore
are considered as obligate holoparasites.
Plants are sessile organisms that have evolved unique strategies for interacting with
various environmental changes as well as dealing with the biological influence of other
living organisms. These can roughly be divided into abiotic stress responses and biotic
responses [7, 8]. Pathogenic responses are typical examples of biological interactions in
plants. These include interactions with bacteria, virus, fungi, and animals (e.g., parasitic
nematodes and herbivorous insects). In contrast, less is known about plant-plant
102
M. Sarić-Krsmanović
identify new targets for control within the life cycle of the parasites and among
their metabolic activities.
Keywords
Field dodder · Host plant · Life cycle · Metabolic activities
Abbreviations
chl a/b Ratio of chlorophyll a to b
DAI
Days after infestation
Fm
Maximal fluorescence
Fo
Minimum fluorescence
Fv
Variable fluorescence
Fv/Fm Maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II
HLR
Hypersensitive-like response
IF
Intensity of fluorescence
RCC
Relative chlorophyll content
TCC
Total chlorophyll content
Ф PSII
Effective fluorescence yield of photosystem II
1
Introduction
Plants of the genus Cuscuta (common name: dodder) are obligate holoparasitic
species. Dodders are the most important group of parasitic weeds in the world,
inhabiting virtually every continent and causing sweeping damage to both crop and
non-crop species [1]. Agriculturally, the most important Cuscuta species are
C. campestris and C. pentagona, which show an almost worldwide distribution
and have a wide host spectrum. Field dodder (C. campestris) parasitizes many
different plants, inducing negative impacts on the growth and yield of infested
hosts, and has significant effects on the structure and function of plant communities
that are infested by these holoparasites [2, 3]. Parasitic plants fuse to host vascular
systems (xylem and phloem) via a specified organ present in all parasitic plants, the
haustorium. This organ serves as the structural and physiological bridge for the
parasites to withdraw water, minerals and organic molecules, and solutes from host
plant conductive systems, leading to severe host growth and yield reduction [4]. Parasitic plants of the genus Cuscuta either have no chlorophyll at all, or merely low
amounts of it, or usually do not have a photosynthetic activity [5, 6]. However, all
Cuscuta species fully depend on host plants to complete their life cycle and therefore
are considered as obligate holoparasites.
Plants are sessile organisms that have evolved unique strategies for interacting with
various environmental changes as well as dealing with the biological influence of other
living organisms. These can roughly be divided into abiotic stress responses and biotic
responses [7, 8]. Pathogenic responses are typical examples of biological interactions in
plants. These include interactions with bacteria, virus, fungi, and animals (e.g., parasitic
nematodes and herbivorous insects). In contrast, less is known about plant-plant
102
M. Sarić-Krsmanović