Differential Resistance among Host and Non-host Species Underlies the Variable Success of the Hemi-parasitic Plant 
            Rhinanthus minor

Cameron, Duncan D.; Coats, Alison M.; Seel, W. E.

doi:10.1093/aob/mcm020

Cited by 29 publications

(65 citation statements)

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“…Hosts suffer from suppressed biomass accumulation, reduced reproductive output (Seel & Press 1996; Cameron et al. 2005; Cameron, Coats & Seel 2006; Cameron & Seel 2007) and disrupted metabolic processes (Cameron et al. 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parasite–grass–forb interactions and rock–paper– scissor dynamics: predicting the effects of the parasitic plant Rhinanthus minor on host plant communities

2009

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Summary1. Parasitic plants affect the growth, reproduction and metabolism of their hosts and may also influence the outcome of competitive interactions between host species and, consequently, the structure of entire host communities. 2. We investigate the effect of the root hemiparasitic plant Rhinanthus minor on plant community dynamics using a spatial theoretical model. The model is parameterized with data from pairwise interaction experiments under two nutrient levels between the hemiparasite and three grass species (Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra and Phleum bertolonii) and three forb species (Leucanthemum vulgare, Plantago lanceolata and Ranunculus acris). 3. Relative interaction coefficients were intransitive, with the dynamics of the system conforming to a rock-paper-scissors game. Stable deterministic dynamics emerge from parameters obtained under low-nutrient conditions. Under high-nutrient conditions, the dynamics are unstable, but are stabilized in spatially explicit models. The outcomes are sensitive to initial spatial pattern and frequency. 4. Synthesis. This study supports the idea that hemiparasite populations may form 'shifting clouds' in natural populations and explains seemingly unpredictable shifts in host community structure following introduction of hemiparasites. Management of plant communities using hemiparasites needs to take these complex dynamics into account.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parasite–grass–forb interactions and rock–paper– scissor dynamics: predicting the effects of the parasitic plant Rhinanthus minor on host plant communities

2009

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“…Species showing a strong defensive response such as Plantago lanceolata ( P. lanceolata cells surrounding invading R. minor tissue fragment or disintegrate to prevent hemiparasite access to the stele; Cameron et al. ; Rümer et al. ) are considered poor hosts and thus are not expected to increase following hemiparasite removal.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gibson & Watkinson ; Cameron et al. ), and was shown to be determined by differential resistance of the host species rather than host selectivity (Cameron et al. ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), and was shown to be determined by differential resistance of the host species rather than host selectivity (Cameron et al. ). For Pedicularis spp., in contrast, host quality appeared to be the opposite (forb > grass > legume; Hedberg et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since hemiparasitic plants have been reported to differently affect members within groups such as grasses and forbs (Gibson & Watkinson ; Cameron et al. ; Mudrak & Leps ), more species‐level field studies are needed to better understand and predict possible effects of hemiparasitic plants on community composition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effects of hemiparasitic plant removal on community structure and seedling establishment in semi‐natural grasslands

Demey

Frenne

Baeten

et al. 2014

J Vegetation Science

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Question: Hemiparasitic plants can profoundly affect the structure of the community in which they occur, mainly due to parasitic suppression of hosts. As a consequence, non-host species have the opportunity to colonize resulting gaps. In contrast to most grassland species, hemiparasites are generally short-lived and can reach high densities; as a consequence, vegetation gaps are left after their death. These gaps form microsites more suitable for seed germination and therefore might increase recruitment of other species. Which species suffer or profit from parasitism and is there a positive effect on seedling establishment? Location: Semi-natural grasslands in northern Belgium. Methods: We selected two hemiparasitic plant species from contrasting vegetation types: Rhinanthus angustifolius growing in mesotrophic grassland and Pedicularis sylvatica growing in oligotrophic heath-grassland. A weeding experiment was set up at six sites in which the hemiparasite was repeatedly removed in half of the plots during three growing seasons. The abundance change of individual species was compared between weeded and control plots. After the second growing season, seeds of up to ten species were added. The number of seedlings in the third year was then compared between weeded and control plots. Results: Rhinanthus removal significantly affected the abundance of species relative to control plots, both positively and negatively, and decreased the species evenness. Pedicularis removal only increased the abundance of some species. Only Juncaceae (but no other graminoid families) increased after Rhinanthus and Pedicularis weeding, and there was considerable variation within functional groups. Moreover, based on our observations, we propose as a new hypothesis that species with persistent clonal spread are more vulnerable to parasitism. Once attached, resources are potentially drawn from a whole network of interconnected ramets. Finally, only half of the sown species successfully established seedlings; hemiparasite removal had a significantly negative effect on seedling number for two of these species. Conclusions: Effects of hemiparasites on species differ considerably, also within functional groups. Persistent clonal spread emerges as an important plant trait determining vulnerability to hemiparasites. Finally, our results suggest that hemiparasitic plants might have a limited positive effect on seedling establishment in these semi-natural grasslands where chances for successful establishment were shown to be low

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Establishment of a hemiparasite Rhinanthus alectorolophus and its density‐dependent suppressing effect on a grass: A case study from golf roughs

et al. 2020

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Suppression effect of hemiparasites on grasses is a phenomenon, that can be utilized to increase biodiversity of various grassland systems. Host suitability, environmental effects, and hemiparasite abundance most likely influence the impact of parasitism on host height and biomass. However, the role of these factors is unclear in field conditions. We studied host suitability, establishment rates, and effects of a hemiparasitic plant Greater yellow rattle [ Rhinanthus alectorolophus (Scop.)] (RA) on canopy height and biomass of a grass tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in five trials with manipulated fertilization conducted in golf roughs. Particularly, we examined how grass height and biomass changed with increasing hemiparasite abundance. On average, grasses (nine in total) were better hosts than legumes (four in total). Tall fescue belonged to the group of better hosts. The average establishment rate of Rhinanthus plants ranged from 4.4 to 24.8% regardless of fertilization treatments. In fertilization trials, Rhinanthus did not affect grass height but weakly suppressed grass biomass in non-fertilized plots. The relationship between grass height/biomass and Rhinanthus abundance was best described by a logarithmic decay model. The suppressive effect tended to saturate (negative density dependence) in plots where the Rhinanthus abundance was very high. However, such high densities were quite rare and low Rhinanthus abundances were usually insufficient to substantially suppress grass growth. Our results indicate that we should aim for at least 50 Rhinanthus plants per 1 m 2 to achieve desirable effects on biodiversity and that Rhinanthus performance will be better when nutrients are rather limiting.

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Differential Resistance among Host and Non-host Species Underlies the Variable Success of the Hemi-parasitic Plant Rhinanthus minor

Cited by 29 publications

References 1 publication

Parasite–grass–forb interactions and rock–paper– scissor dynamics: predicting the effects of the parasitic plant Rhinanthus minor on host plant communities

Parasite–grass–forb interactions and rock–paper– scissor dynamics: predicting the effects of the parasitic plant Rhinanthus minor on host plant communities

The effects of hemiparasitic plant removal on community structure and seedling establishment in semi‐natural grasslands

Establishment of a hemiparasite Rhinanthus alectorolophus and its density‐dependent suppressing effect on a grass: A case study from golf roughs

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