We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The carbon canopy economy of the association between cowpea and the parasitic angiosperm Striga gesnerioides.
- Authors
Graves, J. D.; Press, M. C.; Smith, S.; Stewar, G. R.
- Abstract
The association between the parasite <em>Striga gesnerioides</em> and cowpea (<em>Vigna unguiculata</em>) was investigated using measurements of growth and gas exchange together with calculations of the carbon budget of the association. <em>Striga gesnerioides</em> has a very low photosynthetic capacity coupled with high rates of respiration. Even at photosynthetic light saturation shoots exhibit no net carbon gain. Thus <em>S. gesnerioides</em> is highly dependent on its host for carbon as well as for water and inorganic solutes. It is estimated that 70% of the carbon transferred from host to parasite is used in parasite respiration. Infected cowpea had a lower photosynthetic capacity, at times less than half that of uninfected plants. Infection with <em>S. gesnerioides</em> reduced the growth of cowpea by 75%. Calculations indicate that the loss of carbon from the host by export to the parasite is more important than reduced photosynthetic capacity of the host in accounting for the observed growth reductions.
- Subjects
COWPEA; HOST-parasite relationships; PARASITES; PHOTOSYNTHESIS; ANGIOSPERMS; GAS exchange in plants; CARBON
- Publication
Plant, Cell & Environment, 1992, Vol 15, Issue 3, p283
- ISSN
0140-7791
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-3040.1992.tb00975.x