Abstract
ABSTRACT: Monochasma savatieri Franch. ex Maxim is a perennial, parasitic herb used in traditional Chinese medicine and its wild resources have decreased sharply in recent years due to destructively harvesting and habitat destruction. Haustorium formation is a key event of parasites, but the concentrations of haustorium-inducing factors vary with species and cultivation conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of the 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone (DMBQ) concentration and cultivation density on the growth traits, haustorium formation and biomass of M. savatieri in the absence of a host plant. The results showed that both the DMBQ concentration and cultivation density regulated growth traits, haustorium formation and biomass in M. savatieri. The number of haustoria was significantly positively correlated with seedling height, maximum root length, the number of root tips and total dry weight. Membership function analysis revealed an overall greater increase in growth traits, haustorium formation and biomass when M. savatieri was treated with 10 μmol·L-1DMBQ and grew solitarily. These results offer an understanding of growth in M. savatieri influenced by the DMBQ concentration and cultivation density, which may aid in the establishment of a comprehensive cultivation system for M. savatieri or similar plants.
Highlights
Parasitic plant lineages are found in 28 families and include approximately 4,500 species, representing 1% of dicotyledonous angiosperm species (HEIDE-JØRGENSEN, 2013)
In the control and the treatments with high concentrations of DMBQ (100 to 1000 μmol·L-1), seedling height was significantly higher at a moderate density than at other densities
The high cultivation density had negative effects on the maximum root length of M. savatieri at all DMBQ concentrations except for 1 μmol·L-1 DMBQ, and the weakest root development was observed in the control
Summary
Parasitic plant lineages are found in 28 families and include approximately 4,500 species, representing 1% of dicotyledonous angiosperm species (HEIDE-JØRGENSEN, 2013). Green autotrophic plants produce carbohydrates by photosynthesis, while parasitic plants have developed a distinctive heterotrophic lifestyle in which they benefit from nutrients and water provided by their hosts (YOSHIDA et al, 2016). Hosts usually have decisive effects on the growth and development of parasitic plants. Seedlings of Cordylanthus would reach maturity only when they are in contact with appropriate host roots Prunella vulgaris, and Chrysanthermum indicum are more efficient in increasing the biomass of pot-cultured Thesium chinense than the other hosts (GUO et al, 2010). Without attachment to a suitable host, the seedling development of Aureolaria pedicularia and A. grandiflora is halted in both culture and nature (MUSSELMAN, 1969). When grown without a host, Nuytsia floribunda shows a greater plant dry weight than it does in association with an unsuitable host (CALLADINE et al, 2000)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
