Recognition of root exudates by seeds of broomrape (Orobanche and Phelipanche) species
Open Access
- 1 December 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Annals of Botany
- Vol. 103 (3), 423-431
- https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcn236
Abstract
The long co-existence of broomrapes and their hosts within the same environment has culminated in a strong adaptation and effective parasitism. As a first step of specialization in the parasitic process, seed receptors of parasitic plant species vary in their ability to recognize compounds released by their hosts. This work aims to investigate potential patterns for the reception requirements needed to activate germination within Orobanche and Phelipanche species. Induction of the germination of seeds of nine Orobanche and Pheliphanche species by root exudates of 41 plant species was studied and subjected to biplot multivariate analysis. A high level of specialization in root exudate recognition was found in Orobanche densiflora, O. gracilis and O. hederae, which germinated almost exclusively in contact with root exudates from the plants they infect in nature. At the opposite extreme, Phelipanche aegyptiaca, P. ramosa and O. minor were highly generalist, germinating when in contact with the root exudates of most plant species. Orobanche crenata, O. cumana and O. foetida showed intermediate behaviour. A universal germination stimulant for all broomrape species has not being identified to date. The synthetic stimulant GR24 is active against most of the weedy broomrape species, but fails with the non-weedy species tested in this study and with the very recent weedy species O. foetida. In addition, germination behaviour of broomrape species depends on the crop plant tested. Weedy broomrapes with a broad host spectrum respond better to the different exudates released by a wide range of crops and wild species than do non-weedy broomrapes, which have a narrow host spectrum and are more restricted to their host range. Root exudates of many plant species were active in stimulating germination of seeds of Orobanche and Phelipanche species for which they are not described as hosts, representing interesting examples of potential trap crops.Keywords
This publication has 31 references indexed in Scilit:
- Variability of interactions between barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) genotypes and Orobanche speciesAnnals of Applied Biology, 2008
- Fenugreek root exudates show species‐specific stimulation of Orobanche seed germinationWeed Research, 2008
- Genetic diversity of Moroccan populations of Orobanche foetida: evolving from parasitising wild hosts to crop plantsWeed Research, 2008
- Host differentiation in Orobanche foetida PoirFlora, 2007
- Correlated evolution of life history and host range in the nonphotosynthetic parasitic flowering plants Orobanche and Phelipanche (Orobanchaceae)Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 2006
- Small broomrape (Orobanche minor) germination and early development in response to plant speciesWeed Science, 2004
- Dancing Together. Social Controls in Parasitic Plant DevelopmentPlant Physiology, 2001
- Sunflower sesquiterpene lactone models induce Orobanche cumana seed germinationPhytochemistry, 1999
- Vegetative/Parasitic Transition: Control and Plasticity in Striga DevelopmentPlant Physiology, 1990
- Dihydroparthenolide and other sesquiterpene lactones stimulate witchweed germinationPhytochemistry, 1989