Browsing by Author "Wicke Susann"

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    Parasitic plants are models for examining global food security,biodiversity loss and host–parasite evolution, in achanging world
    (John Wiley & Sons, 2024) Runo Steven; Wicke Susann; Thorogood Chris
    Parasitic plants devastate crop productivity around the world, threatening food and nutritional security for millions. In this special issue of Plants People, Planet, we provide a systematic analysis of some of the most devastating parasitic plants that threaten global food security focusing on (i) witchweeds, (ii) broomrapes and (iii) vampireweeds. Witchweeds—members of the genus Striga—have earned themselves the nickname ‘cereal killers’ because of their devastating destruction of Africa's most staple cereals, including maize, sorghum, millets and upland rice. Striga is a highly successful parasite, the lifecycle of which is tightly synchronised with that of its host (Runo & Kuria, 2018). Central to this synchronisation is its ability to detect and locate would be hosts through biomolecules—predominantly strigolactones—emitted from the host (Al-Babili & Bouwmeester, 2014; Matusova et al., 2005). Ironically, the reliance of Striga on strigolactones (SLs) is also its Achilles' heel as this presents opportunities for control through manipulation of communication exchange. One approach involves growing Striga alongside a false host that releases SLs, which trigger Striga germination but fail to support its growth or infection (Khan et al., 2011). Another method uses germination stimulants applied to bare fields to induce Striga germination without a host (Jamil et al., 2022, 2024; Kountche et al., 2019). These methods are referred to as ‘suicidal germination’. Additionally, breeding host crops that produce insufficient or less potent SLs can also help manage Striga infestations. These strategies have made SLs a central focus of research for Striga control...