Targeted distribution of photo-assimilate in Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth parasitic on Sorghum bicolor L.

Autotrophic photosynthesis in developing plants of Striga hermonthica, a C3 plant, parasitizing Sorghum bicolor, a C4 plant, has been quantified by measuring the 13C/12C isotope ratio (δ13C). This parameter has been determined in cellulose and chlorophyll extracted from plants 8 weeks after emergence. It is shown that these components are both proportionately high in autotrophic carbon in the leaf material, thus confirming the previous hypothesis that St. hermonthica photo-assimilate is directed primarily towards the synthesis of new photosynthetic capacity.

Autotrophic photosynthesis in developing plants of Striga hermonthica has been quantified by measuring the 13C/12C isotope ratio. This parameter has been determined in cellulose and chlorophyll extracted from plants 8 weeks after emergence. It is shown that these components are both proportionately high in autotrophic carbon in the leaf material.