Recent advances in the regulation of root parasitic weed damage by strigolactone-related chemicals

Abstract

Root parasitic weeds such as Striga spp. and Orobanche spp. dramatically reduce the yields of important agricultural crops and cause economic losses of over billions of US dollars worldwide. One reason for the damage by root parasitic weeds is that they germinate after specifically recognizing the host cues, strigolactones (SLs). SLs were identified more than 50 years ago as germination stimulants for root parasitic weeds, and various studies have been conducted to control parasitic weeds using SLs and related chemicals. Recently, biochemical and molecular biological approaches have revealed the SL biosynthesis and SL receptors; using these findings, various SL-related chemicals have been developed. This review summarizes recent research on SLs and their related chemicals for controlling root parasitic weeds.

Design, Synthesis, and Bioactivities of N-Heterocyclic Ureas as Strigolactone Response Antagonists against Parasitic-Weed Seed Germination

“…Infection of obligate parasitic weeds, such as Striga, Phelipanche, and Orobanche, significantly threatens the growth and development of host plants, imposing a substantial burden on crop yield and food security. , As previously reported, the infestation of such noxious weeds results in annual economic losses of up to 7 billion US dollars, posing a significant burden on food security for over 300 million people. − …”

Identification and genetic diversity analysis of broomrape in Xinjiang, China

“…Broomrape can severely retard the growth and productivity of its host plants and cause crop losses that reach billions of dollars annually [ 2 , 3 ]. At present, some methods have been applied in the field to control broomrape, such as cultural practices, suicidal germination, activation of systemic acquired resistance, biocontrol, and herbicides [ 4 , 5 ]. However, the reproductive capacity of broomrape is very strong; each plant can produce 100 thousand seeds [ 4 ], of which O. aegyptiaca has a stronger reproductive capacity, producing 500 thousand to 3 million seeds per plant and possibly remaining dormant for more than 15 years [ 6 , 7 ], which makes broomrape control extremely difficult.…”

Identification and genetic diversity analysis of broomrape in Xinjiang, China

“…Broomrape can severely retard the growth and productivity of its host plants and cause crop losses that reach billions of dollars annually [2,3] . At present, some methods have been applied in the eld to control broomrape, such as cultural practices, suicidal germination, activation of systemic acquired resistance, biocontrol, and herbicides [4,5] . However, the reproductive capacity of broomrape is very strong; each plant can produce 100 thousand seeds [4] , of which O. aegyptiaca has a stronger reproductive capacity, producing 500 thousand to 3 million seeds per plant and possibly remaining dormant for more than 15 years [6,7] , which makes broomrape control extremely di cult.…”