The combined effects of water and nitrogen on the relationship between a native hemiparasite and its invasive host.
New Phytol
; 229(3): 1728-1739, 2021 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32965029
ABSTRACT
Stem hemiparasites are dependent on their hosts for water and nitrogen. Most studies, however, have assessed the influence of one factor on parasite host associations, thus limiting our mechanistic understanding of their performance in nature. We investigated the combined effects of water and nitrogen (N) availability on both a host (Ulex europaeus) and its parasite (Cassytha pubescens). Parasite infection significantly decreased host shoot biomass and shoot root ratio more severely in high water than low water, irrespective of N supply. Parasite stem [N] was significantly higher in high water than low water treatments, regardless of N supply, but parasite biomass did not vary among treatments. Irrespective of water and N supply, infected plants had significantly lower total, root and nodule biomass, predawn and midday quantum yields, maximum electron transport rates, water potentials and nitrogen concentration [N]. Parasite δ13 C was significantly higher than that of the host. Our results suggested that stem hemiparasites can better extract resources from hosts when water availability is high, resulting in a greater impact on the host under these conditions. When hemiparasitic plants are being investigated as a biocontrol for invasive weeds, they may be more effective in wetter habitats than in drier ones.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Parásitos
/
Nitrógeno
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
New Phytol
Asunto de la revista:
BOTANICA
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia