Analysis of Metabolites in Stem Parasitic Plant Interactions: Interaction of Cuscuta–Momordica versus Cassytha–Ipomoea

Abstract

Cuscuta and Cassytha are two well-known stem parasitic plant genera with reduced leaves and roots, inducing haustoria in their stems. Their similar appearance in the field has been recognized, but few comparative studies on their respective plant interactions are available. To compare their interactions, we conducted a metabolite analysis of both the Cassytha–Ipomoea and the Cuscuta–Momordica interaction. We investigated the energy charge of the metabolites by UFLC (ultra-high performance liquid chromatography), and conducted GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis for polar metabolites (e.g., saccharides, polyols) and steroids. The energy charge after parasitization changed considerably in Cassytha but not in Cusucta. Cuscuta changed its steroid pattern during the plant interaction, whereas Cassytha did not. In the polar metabolite analysis, the laminaribiose increase after parasitization was conspicuous in Cuscuta, but not in Cassytha. This metabolite profile difference points to different lifestyles and parasitic strategies.

Drought Stress Alleviation by Potassium-Nitrate-Containing Chitosan/Montmorillonite Microparticles Confers Changes in Spinacia oleracea L.

“…Scarcity of good quality water for irrigation creates the majority of lethal stress among all abiotic stresses (i.e., heavy metals, nutrients), called drought [1][2][3][4][5]. Uneven and low rainfall, dry winds, and temperature dynamics are common factors that promote the development of drought conditions [6]. Drought stress play a notorious role in decreasing crops productivity because water shares 80-95% of the fresh biomass of any plant [6].…”

“…Uneven and low rainfall, dry winds, and temperature dynamics are common factors that promote the development of drought conditions [6]. Drought stress play a notorious role in decreasing crops productivity because water shares 80-95% of the fresh biomass of any plant [6]. It is a documented fact that annually, 50% yield of crops is decreased due to water scarcity.…”

“…It has been observed that drought stress can reduce 65% biomass of spinach by decreasing fresh weight [8]. This drastic reduction in fresh biomass is mainly due to the disruption of plant's photosynthetic capacity by limiting its physiological and biochemical attributes under the water deficit environment [6,9].…”

Transient expression of green fluorescent protein in parasitic dodder as a tool for studying of cytoskeleton

“…According to some authors, stratification by cold and scarification are essential for their successful germination Furuhashi et al 2016). Variability of seed coat structure among different dodder species determines their germination characteristics impacting adaptation to natural environment (Behdarvandi et al 2015).…”

Hemiparasitic interaction between Castilleja tenuiflora (Orobanchaceae) and Baccharis conferta (Asteraceae): haustorium anatomy and C- and N-fluxes

“…The relationship between a parasitic plant and its host involves a physical attachment aboveground (shoot-to-shoot) or belowground (root-to-root), which requires a unique organ, haustorium, developed by parasitic plants. This multifunctional organ attaches to the host and establishes a phloem (holoparasites) or xylem (hemiparasites) continuum to permit exchanges of water, nutrients, hormones, proteins and nucleotides (Kim & Westwood 2015, Furuhashi et al 2016. Characteristic for the facultative hemiparasitic plants are the lateral haustoria (Westwood et al 2010), swollen rounded structures attached to the host surface (Estabrook & Yoder 1998) with a complex internal structure consisting of three main regions: the haustorial neck (upper haustorium or exophyte), the endophyte and the base of the haustorium (Joel 2013).…”