In vitro culture of Orobanche ramosa

• Published in: Weed research Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 191 - 197
• Main Authors: Batchvarova, R.B, Slavov, S.B, Bossolova, S.N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.06.1999; Blackwell Science; Blackwell Scientific Publications
• Subjects: application rate; Biological and medical sciences; broomrape; callus; cultivars; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; germination; gibberellic acid; host plants; in vitro culture; indole acetic acid; kinetin; Nicotiana tabacum; Orobanche; Orobanche ramosa; Parasitic plants; Parasitic plants. Weeds; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; plant growth regulators; root exudates; seed germination; tobacco; ultrastructure; Host parasite relation; Germination; Gibberellin; Stimulant plant; Micropropagation; Nicotiana tabacum; Cytokinin; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Orobanchaceae; Plant growth substance; Kinetin; Spermatophyta; Solanaceae; Gibberellic acid; Parasitic plant
• ISSN: 0043-1737; 1365-3180
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3180.1999.00137.x

Orobanche spp. (broomrapes) are holoparasites that subsist on the roots of many important crops and can considerably reduce yield. The control of Orobanche spp. includes physical, chemical and biological methods. Interactions between parasitic angiosperms and their hosts first occur at the level of parasite seed germination. The seeds of all Orobanchaceae germinate in soil under natural conditions only in response to specific chemical exudates from the host plant. This study describes the influence of different plant growth regulators and host plant root exudates on germination and development of calli from Orobanche seeds in vitro. The effect of indole‐3‐acetic acid, gibberellic acid and kinetin on the germination of Orobanche seeds varied with concentration. These plant growth regulators also affected the period of germination and the structure of calli and protrusions. An in vitro system for the collection of tobacco root exudates was established. Compounds released from the host roots of three different tobacco cultivars were found to provoke high levels of germination of the Orobanche seeds without any period of pre‐conditioning. This study developed methods for the investigation of host–parasite interactions and the effect of germination stimulants in Orobanche spp.