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Influence of nitrogen on germination and early development of broomrape (Orobanche spp.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

James H. Westwood  and
Chester L. Foy
Chester L. Foy
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061–0331
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Abstract

Broomrapes are parasitic angiosperms that live on the roots of many important crop plants. We have conducted a series of in vitro experiments to investigate the direct effects of nitrogen fertilizers on broomrape seed germination and early development. These experiments confirm that nitrogen in the ammonium form is more inhibitory than nitrate, but we conclude that it is the elongation of the seedling radicle that is primarily inhibited by ammonium, rather than the seed germination itself. Reductions in radicle length were observed when ammonium solutions were applied during either preconditioning or germination periods. For germinating seeds, exposures to ammonium sulfate of 4 to 8 h (depending on the species) reduced radicle elongation by half, indicating a relatively rapid inhibition. Broomrape species varied in sensitivity to ammonium, with Orobanche aegyptiaca being the most tolerant, followed by O. crenata, O. ramosa, O. cernua, and finally O. minor as compared in the presence of 5 mM ammonium. However, all broomrape species were much more sensitive to ammonium toxicity than were host crop species under similar treatment conditions.

Keywords

Egyptian broomrape, Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers. ORAAEdrooping broomrape, O. cernua Loefl. ORACEcrenate broomrape, O. crenata Forsk. ORACRsmall broomrape, O. minor Sm. ORAMIbranched broomrape, O. ramosa L. ORARAAmmoniumcrop selectivityOrobancheparasitic weedradicle elongationORAAEORACEORACRORAMIORARA
Type
Physiology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry
Information
Weed Science , Volume 47 , Issue 1 , February 1999 , pp. 2 - 7
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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