Striga hermonthica, commonly known as purple or giant witchweed,[1] is a hemipar

asitic plant[1] that belongs to the family Orobanchaceae. It is devastating to m

ajor crops such as sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and rice (Oryza sativa).[2] In subSaharan Africa it infests, apart from sorghum and rice, also maize (Zea mays), p
earl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum).[3]
Striga hermonthica has undergone horizontal gene transfer from Sorghum to its nu
clear genome. The S. hermonthica gene, ShContig9483, is most like a Sorghum bico
lor gene, and additionally shows significant but lesser similarity to a gene fro
m Oryza sativa. It shows no similarity to any known eudicot gene.[2]
Contents [hide]
1 Host and Symptoms
2 Disease Cycle
3 Environment
4 Management
5 Impact
6 References
7 External links
Host and Symptoms[edit]
Purple witchweed infects a variety of grasses, and legumes in sub-saharan Africa
including rice, maize, millet, sugarcane, and cowpea. The symptoms mimic that o
f drought or nutrient deficiency symptoms. Chlorosis, wilt, and stunting result
from witchweed s ability to extract nutrients from its host. Pre-emergence symptom
s are difficult to diagnose secondary to their similarity to general lack of nut
rients. Once emergence of the plant has taken place, it is usually too late to m
itigate damage.[4]
Disease Cycle[edit]
Seeds of witchweed overwinter in the soil after they are dispersed by wind, wate
r, animal, or human machinery.[5] When the environment is correct, and if the pl
ant is within a few centimeters of the host root it will begin to germinate. The
germinating plant grows towards hormones, called strigolactones, released from
the host root.[6][7] The plant grows up the concentration gradient of these stri
golactones. In the absence of strigolactone, the striga will not germinate. Stri
golactone knockout plants have been used in an attempt to prevent infection by a
voiding germination. [8] Once in contact with the root, the witchweed produces a
haustorium establishing a parasitic relationship with the plant. It remains und
erground for several weeks while extracting nutrients. The stem while undergroun
d is round and white. After this stage it emerges from the ground and rapidly fl
owers and produces seeds. The flowers self pollinate before opening. Post emerge
nce the plant can perform photosynthesis to augment its metabolic demands.[9]
Environment[edit]
30-35 degrees Celsius is witchweed s ideal climate for germination. In temperature
s below 20 C the seeds will not germinate. Seeds can survive freezing temperatur
es.[10] However the longevity of the seed is debated. Most say that under ideal
conditions seeds can remain viable for up to 14 years, but a study conducted on
more realistic environmental conditions demonstrated that wet soils greatly decr
ease the resilience of the seeds. At most in one year 74 % of viable seeds were
lost secondary to wet soil.[11]