Acta Agronomica Hungarica (1998) 46, 317-325

M. Lados (1998)
Effect of temperature, pH and host plant extracts on the germination of Cuscuta trifolii and C. campestris
Acta Agronomica Hungarica 46 (4), 317-325
Abstract: The pretreatment of Cuscuta trifolii and C. campestris seeds was found to be effective in increasing the germination ratio of these two dodder species. The removal of the hard seedcoat by sulphuric acid treatment and the conditioning of the seeds promoted the germination of C. trifolii. The optimal temperature range for germination in Petri-dishes under controlled conditions is 18-26°C for C. trifolii. In the case of C. campestris a high germination ratio (over 60%) was obtained between 16°C and 32°C. By studying the effect of different pH on germination it was found that the highest germination ratio for C. trifolii seeds could be observed in an acidic pH range, around pH 5.5. When host plant (Medicago sativa bv. Verko) extracts were applied to the pretreated, aseptic dodder seeds there was no significant increase in the number of germinated seeds in the case of either C. trifolii or C. campestris.
By putting the dodder seedlings in close proximity to the host several associations were established and by propagating 6-10 cm pieces from fast-growing parasites it was possible to multiply the parasite.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cuscuta campestris (weed)	Alfalfa/lucerne (Medicago sativa)	Hungary
	Cuscuta trifolii (weed)	Alfalfa/lucerne (Medicago sativa)	Hungary