Premium
Studies on the Physiology of Host‐parasite Relationship in Orobanche. II. Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Host and Parasite
Author(s) -
SINGH JAI N.,
SINGH JAGDISH N.,
RAI T. B.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1971.tb01468.x
Subject(s) - orobanche , host (biology) , parasitic plant , biology , parasite hosting , potassium , phosphorus , shoot , orobanchaceae , nutrient , calcium , botany , magnesium , weed , chemistry , ecology , germination , organic chemistry , world wide web , computer science
The effects of Orobanche infection on the growth and mineral compostition of the host were studied. Parallel observations were made in host and parasite. Orobanche infection reduces the height of main shoot, the length of root, the number of branches, and the number and total area leaves per plant. Consequently the fresh and dry weight of the host is also decreased. Infection affects NAR and LAR only slightly but reduces RGR and RLGR at a later period of infection. The retardation in the growth of host seems to be due mainly to a continuous extraction of metabolites and inorganic nutrients. Infection increases the nitrogen, calcium and magnesium content in the host, especially in the leaves. This fact is connected with the retarded growth in the host. The process of absorption is probably not changed. The phosphorus and potassium contents diminish in the infected host, a fact related to the higher translocation to the parasite. The Orobanche plants grow faster during early stages and accumulate 88 % of total dry matter before flowering, The growth stages of Orobanche do not coincide with those of the host suggesting that the parasite is capable of synthesizing its own growth substances. Studies with 32 P show that the flow of minerals is mainly in the direction from host to parasite. The major part of the requirement of the parasite is met by the host. Orobanche maintains a higher phosphorus and potassium content in its tissues than the host, while the nitrogen, calcium and magnesium content is lower.