Photosynthesis of Certain South African Parasitic Flowering Plants

Harpe, A. C. De La; Visser, J.H.; Grobbelaar, N.

doi:10.1016/s0044-328x(80)80081-x

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Although precise quantification is limited by the extent of the model and a knowledge of contributions from respiration, export and import, we suggest that mature S. hermonthica and S. asiatica plants obtain about a third of their carbon from their host. This contrasts with the view held from earlier studies on Striga (2,3). This loss of host photosynthate, coupled with the pathogenic effect that Striga has on photosynthesis in sorghum (22), probably account for the massive growth reductions observed in sorghum parasitized by Striga ( 19,21).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Carbon Isotope Ratios Demonstrate Carbon Flux from C₄ Host to C₃ Parasite

Press

Shah²,

Tuohy³

et al. 1987

Plant Physiol.

105

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Carbon isotope ratios of mature leaves from the C3 angiosperm root hemiparasites Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth (-26.7%o) and S. asiatica (L.) Kuntze (-25.6%o) were more negative than their C4 host, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench cv CSHI), (-13.5%o Although environmental factors other than those affecting Ci may influence carbon isotope ratios, the magnitude of these is thought to be small (16), and experimental evidence is accruing to support the model (Eq. 1) (5,6,8,10,11,17,27).Striga hermonthica and Striga asiatica are root hemiparasitic angiosperms possessing the C3 pathway of carbon fixation. Their preferred host is the C4 plant, sorghum, from which they obtain a large proportion of their water and inorganic solutes. Although transfer of '4C-labeled metabolites has been demonstrated (15,25), the extent of the C flux is unknown. In Striga the carbon isotope composition will not only reflect its own photosynthetic and environmental characteristics, but also those ofthe host (23).In this paper we report the carbon isotope composition of the

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Carbon Isotope Ratios Demonstrate Carbon Flux from C₄ Host to C₃ Parasite

Press

Shah²,

Tuohy³

et al. 1987

Plant Physiol.

105

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“…8 δ 13 C of mistletoe-C3 host pairs from New Zealand, Australia, Africa and Madagascar, and Brazil. The dashed line indicates 1:1 correspondence between mistletoe and host δ 13 C and the solid line the overall regression of mistletoe δ 13 C on host δ 13 C. Data for individual mistletoe-host pairs from Australia, Africa and Madgascar are from Ziegler (1995) and supplemented by African data from Richter et al (1995) and De la Harpe et al (1980, 1981, data from Brazil are from Lüttge et al (1998) When the formulae (Eqs. 1, 2) used by Marshall and Ehleringer (1990) are applied to the mean values for the ten mistletoe-host pairs in Table 2, the calculated mean level of heterotrophy is 79%.…”

Section: Water Relations Photosynthesis and Heterotrophymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, nitrogen content (Ehleringer et al 1986;Bannister 1989) and δ 15 N (Schulze et al 1991) of mistletoes and hosts are usually strongly correlated. De la Harpe et al (1980, 1981 measured δ 13 C in various holoparasitic and hemiparasitic plants (including mistletoes) and, in their 1981 paper, suggested that differences in δ 13 C between host and parasite might be related to the degree of heterotrophy of the parasite. Subsequently Marshall and Ehleringer (1990), using the methodology of Press et al (1987), calculated the degree of heterotrophy of a mistletoe by assuming that the difference between observed and calculated δ 13 C of mistletoe tissue was a function of heterotrophy, and that the δ 13 C of a fully heterotrophic mistletoe would be identical to its host.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, nitrogen content and heterotrophy in New Zealand mistletoes

Bannister

Strong

2001

Oecologia

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The carbon isotope ratio (δC) of New Zealand mistletoes (-29.51±0.10‰) and their hosts (-28.89±0.12‰) is generally more negative, and shows less difference between mistletoes and their hosts, than found in previous studies. In 37% of the examined pairs, the δC of mistletoes was less negative than that of their hosts. These reversals were not associated with the relative position (proximal or distal) of the host material with regard to the mistletoe. Differences between host and mistletoe tended to be greater on hosts with less negative δC. Both nitrogen content and isotope ratio (δN) of the mistletoe leaves were strongly correlated with those of their hosts. Nitrogen contents of mistletoe leaves were similar to those of their hosts at low nitrogen contents but proportionately less on hosts with a high nitrogen content, whereas δN of mistletoes was consistently similar to that of their hosts. The δC of mistletoes was related to both host nitrogen content and δN, but δC in host tissue was related to neither, suggesting that the mistletoes derived both nitrogen and carbon from their hosts. The δC of both hosts and mistletoes were significantly related to leaf conductance and carbon dioxide concentration but relationships with transpiration and water use efficiency were not significant. In all cases there was no clear separation between the responses of hosts and mistletoes. This may be related to the similarity of stomatal conductance, transpiration and photosynthesis in the studied mistletoes and their hosts and is consistent with the small differences in δC between mistletoes and hosts found in this study. Consequently, the estimation of mistletoe heterotrophy from carbon discrimination is confounded, as the small difference between host and mistletoe carbon discrimination could equally well result from either similarities in photosynthesis and water relations or heterotrophic assimilation of host-derived carbon. The differences between our study and previous studies (which are mostly from seasonally dry or semi-arid to arid environments) may be related to the temperate environment in which these mistletoes grow. Water is freely available so that the mistletoe is able to obtain sufficient water and dissolved nutrients without having to maintain the high transpiration rate and low water potentials that are needed to extract water from a water-stressed host. Similarly, mistletoe photosynthesis is less inhibited by water stress. The physiological similarities between mistletoe and hosts from a temperate environment are reflected in their similar δC values.

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“…The deep rooting system of the nurse tree (recorded to 60 m by Canadell et al (1996)) likely minimizes direct competition for water, and it is more that the subcanopy of A. erioloba is a focus for animal activity, than competition that makes the subcanopy environment hazardous. The protection from mistletoe infestation likely arises because the mistletoe V. rotundifolium found here has high photosynthate requirements (de la Harpe et al 1980), a type of indirect facilitation. Indirect facilitation usually occurs when the positive effect of one species on another, via moderation of a mutual competitor, is greater than the effect of direct competition (Levine 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

ProtégéZiziphus mucronata (Rhamnaceae) show no negative effects of competition with the nurse tree Acacia (Leguminaceae), even as adults

Seymour

2009

J Vegetation Science

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Question:A number of studies have demonstrated that the interaction between nurse plants and their prote´ge´s changes from one of facilitation to interference as life history stage progresses. Here, I aimed to assess relative fitness of the prote´ge´plant Ziziphus mucronata (Rhamnaceae) under the subcanopy of Acacia erioloba (Leguminaceae), versus in the open, at various stages of the lifecycle.Location: Southern Kalahari, southern Africa.Methods: Germination was compared to assess the effects of shade, maternal origin (under A. erioloba or in the matrix) and soil. Seedlings were transplanted into the field under trees and in the open to ascertain establishment rates. Flower production, seed set and mistletoe infestation were compared between the two microhabitats.Results: Seeds from maternal Z. mucronata plants growing beneath A. erioloba had higher germination rates than those from maternal plants growing in the open. Germination was higher in full sun and in matrix soil, although this result was found in experimental conditions mimicking good rainfall and may not hold under dry or medium rainfall conditions. Z. mucronata demography suggested that the A. erioloba subcanopy is important for establishment, but seedlings transplanted into the matrix had higher survival rates than those under trees. Causes of seedling mortality were different: desiccation in the matrix, but invertebrate herbivory and trampling beneath trees. Mistletoe infestation was higher for adult plants growing in the open. Seed set was not significantly different between subcanopy and matrix environments, but once mistletoe infestation rates and parent plant size were accounted for, seed set was lower for adult plants growing in the open than those growing beneath trees.Conclusions: It appears that the nurse tree environment remains important for Z. mucronata throughout its lifecycle.

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Photosynthesis of Certain South African Parasitic Flowering Plants

Cited by 11 publications

References 6 publications

Carbon Isotope Ratios Demonstrate Carbon Flux from C₄ Host to C₃ Parasite

Carbon Isotope Ratios Demonstrate Carbon Flux from C₄ Host to C₃ Parasite

Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, nitrogen content and heterotrophy in New Zealand mistletoes

ProtégéZiziphus mucronata (Rhamnaceae) show no negative effects of competition with the nurse tree Acacia (Leguminaceae), even as adults

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Photosynthesis of Certain South African Parasitic Flowering Plants

Cited by 11 publications

References 6 publications

Carbon Isotope Ratios Demonstrate Carbon Flux from C4 Host to C3 Parasite

Carbon Isotope Ratios Demonstrate Carbon Flux from C4 Host to C3 Parasite

Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, nitrogen content and heterotrophy in New Zealand mistletoes

ProtégéZiziphus mucronata (Rhamnaceae) show no negative effects of competition with the nurse tree Acacia (Leguminaceae), even as adults

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Carbon Isotope Ratios Demonstrate Carbon Flux from C₄ Host to C₃ Parasite

Carbon Isotope Ratios Demonstrate Carbon Flux from C₄ Host to C₃ Parasite