Host Resistance to Parasitic Plants—Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Parasitic flowering plants represent a diverse group of angiosperms, ranging from exotic species with limited distribution to prominent weeds, causing significant yield losses in agricultural crops. The major damage caused by them is related to the extraction of water and nutrients from the host, thus decreasing vegetative growth, flowering, and seed production. Members of the root parasites of the Orobanchaceae family and stem parasites of the genus Cuscuta are among the most aggressive and damaging weeds, affecting both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous crops worldwide. Their control and eradication are hampered by the extreme seed longevity and persistence in soil, as well as their taxonomic position, which makes it difficult to apply selective herbicides not damaging to the hosts. The selection of resistant cultivars is among the most promising approaches to deal with this matter, although still not widely employed due to limited knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of host resistance and inheritance. The current review aims to summarize the available information on host resistance with a focus on agriculturally important parasitic plants and to outline the future perspectives of resistant crop cultivar selection to battle the global threat of parasitic plants.

Potential role of DNA methylation and histone H3 acetylation in parasitism of Cuscuta

“…[5]. On the other hand, Cuscuta parasitism induces a wide spectrum of gene expression changes in the host plant, either as a result of defense reaction [4], or on the contrary, a beneficial shift in gene expression, orchestrated by the parasite itself [7]. It would not be exaggerated if we conclude that the process of haustoria formation and further parasitism is driven by extensive changes in gene expression of both the parasite and the host.…”

“…When subjected to infection with Cuscuta reflexa Roxb., a hypersensitive response was triggered, in the haustoria penetration sites. On the molecular level, the cell wall of the tomato lignifies, auxin levels increase and IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1305/1/012016 2 phenylpropanoids and long-chain fatty acids are being accumulate, thus preventing the parasite from successful haustoria formation [4].…”

Field management of Phelipanche ramosa on tomatoes by plowing depth or resistance strategies

“…Tomato crops are usually susceptible to the destructive Phelipanche weed, but some cultivars are potentially resistant. The selection of resistant cultivars is among the most promising approaches to deal with this problem (Bai et al, 2020;Albanova et al, 2023). In the host, response and resistance to parasitic plants are of molecular nature, which are still not completely understood (Mutuku et al, 2021).…”

“…In the host, response and resistance to parasitic plants are of molecular nature, which are still not completely understood (Mutuku et al, 2021). The mechanisms of resistance to parasitic plants vary depending on the host species and cultivars (Mutuku et al, 2021;Jhu & Sinha, 2022;Albanova et al, 2023). Some mechanisms underlying the resistance have been described Pérez- Pérezde-Luque & Rubiales, 2009).…”