Strigolactones as germination stimulants for root parasitic plants

Plant Cell Physiol. 2010 Jul;51(7):1095-103. doi: 10.1093/pcp/pcq055. Epub 2010 Apr 18.

Abstract

Witchweeds (Striga spp.) and broomrapes (Orobanche and Phelipanche spp.) are the two most devastating root parasitic plants belonging to the family Orobanchaceae and are causing enormous crop losses throughout the world. Seeds of these root parasites will not germinate unless they are exposed to chemical stimuli, 'germination stimulants' produced by and released from plant roots. Most of the germination stimulants identified so far are strigolactones (SLs), which also function as host recognition signals for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and a novel class of plant hormones inhibiting shoot branching. In this review, we focus on SLs as germination stimulants for root parasitic plants. In addition, we discuss how quantitative and qualitative differences in SL exudation among sorghum cultivars influence their susceptibility to Striga.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Germination / drug effects*
  • Lactones / pharmacology*
  • Orobanchaceae / drug effects*
  • Plant Growth Regulators / metabolism
  • Plant Growth Regulators / pharmacology*
  • Plant Roots / parasitology*
  • Sorghum / metabolism
  • Sorghum / parasitology

Substances

  • Lactones
  • Plant Growth Regulators