Parasitic plants are models for examining global food security,biodiversity loss and host–parasite evolution, in achanging world
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Date
2024
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John Wiley & Sons
Abstract
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...
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Runo, Steven, Susann Wicke, and Chris Thorogood. "Parasitic plants are models for examining global food security, biodiversity loss and host–parasite evolution, in a changing world." Plants, People, Planet 7.2 (2025): 303-307.