Ecological and Biological Insights into Cuscuta planiflora: A Fundamental study exploring its Morphology and Parasitic Behavior on Rhanterium epapposum

Almousa, Mohammad Adel; Abdullah, Mansour T; Ebrahim, Ebrahim Khalil

doi:10.21608/joese.2024.291510.1041

Ecological and Biological Insights into Cuscuta planiflora: A Fundamental study exploring its Morphology and Parasitic Behavior on Rhanterium epapposum

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Science Department, College of Basic Education, the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Alardyia P.O. Box 23167, Safat, Kuwait.

10.21608/joese.2024.291510.1041

Abstract

The parasitic plant Cuscuta planiflora, commonly known as dodder, exhibits specialized adaptations that enable its survival and reproduction by exploiting host plants. One such host is Rhanterium epapposum, a native shrub of the Arabian Peninsula, important for grazing and locally known as Arfaj. The susceptibility of R. epapposum to parasitism by C. planiflora was investigated in Abdali farmland. Observations indicated that the vegetation of R. epapposum decreased in areas with sandy soil, where C. planiflora was absent. In contrast, areas with loamy soil supported more robust growth of R. epapposum, but many of these plants were parasitized by C. planiflora. This study highlights the influence of soil type on the interaction between C.planiflora and R. epapposum, with sandy soils being less conducive to parasitism, thereby affecting the distribution and health of R. epapposum communities. This study explores the phenology, morphology, ecology, and host-parasite interactions between C. planifloraand R. epapposum. It aims to offer a comprehensive synthesis of existing knowledge while identifying key areas for future research.

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