Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the biosynthesis of the...

Microbial Nutrition

Microbial Nutrition

Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...

Microbial Interactions: Competition

Microbial Interactions: Competition

Microbial competition is an ecological interaction in which microorganisms vie for limited resources within shared environments. These resources may include nutrients, space, or light, depending on the system. The intensity and outcome of competition are influenced by the environmental context, such as nutrient availability, spatial constraints, and the diversity of microbial species present. These competitive interactions significantly influence the structure, function, and resilience of...

Microbial Interactions: Parasitism

Microbial Interactions: Parasitism

Parasitism is a form of microbial interaction in which parasitic microbes exploit a host organism for nutrients and shelter, often at the host's expense. Unlike mutualistic relationships, where both organisms benefit, parasitism benefits only the parasite and harms the host.Classification of ParasitesMicrobial parasites are broadly classified based on their location relative to the host.Ectoparasites remain on the host’s surface, such as the skin or outer tissues, drawing nutrients...

Diversity of Protists I

Diversity of Protists I

Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...

Diversity of Protists II

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Novel sources of resistance to Striga hermonthica in Tripsacum dactyloides, a wild relative of maize.

The New phytologist·2021

Same author

Do inorganic solutes limit growth of the facultative hemiparasite Rhinanthus minor L in the absence of a host?

The New phytologist·2021

Same author

Influence of the host on three sub-Arctic annual facultative root hemiparasites: II. Gas exchange characteristics and resource use-efficiency.

The New phytologist·2021

Same author

Nitrogen relations of the sorghum-Striga hermonthica host-parasite association: germination, attachment and early growth.

The New phytologist·2021

Same author

Influence of the host on three sub-Arctic annual facultative root hemiparasites: I. Growth, mineral accumulation and above-lground dry-matter partitioning.

The New phytologist·2021

Same author

Infection time and density influence the response of sorghum to the parasitic angiosperm Striga hermonthica.

The New phytologist·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Leveraging Micro-CT Scanning to Analyze Parasitic Plant-Host Interactions

Leveraging Micro-CT Scanning to Analyze Parasitic Plant-Host Interactions

Published on: January 12, 2022

Autotrophy and heterotrophy in root herniparasites.

¹Malcolm Press is in the Striga Research Group, Biology Dept, Darwin Building, University College, Gower Street, London WCIE 6BT, UK; Dept of Environmental Biology, The University, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

|January 14, 2011

Summary

Root hemiparasitic plants balance self-nutrition with host-derived resources. Research explores their unique nutritional strategies and carbon relations, crucial for understanding these important agricultural weeds.

More Related Videos

In vivo and In vitro Infection of Potato Roots with Plant Parasitic Nematodes for the Assessment of Induced Structural Changes

In vivo and In vitro Infection of Potato Roots with Plant Parasitic Nematodes for the Assessment of Induced Structural Changes

Published on: February 28, 2025

Inoculation Strategies to Infect Plant Roots with Soil-Borne Microorganisms

Inoculation Strategies to Infect Plant Roots with Soil-Borne Microorganisms

Published on: March 1, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Leveraging Micro-CT Scanning to Analyze Parasitic Plant-Host Interactions

Leveraging Micro-CT Scanning to Analyze Parasitic Plant-Host Interactions

Published on: January 12, 2022

In vivo and In vitro Infection of Potato Roots with Plant Parasitic Nematodes for the Assessment of Induced Structural Changes

In vivo and In vitro Infection of Potato Roots with Plant Parasitic Nematodes for the Assessment of Induced Structural Changes

Published on: February 28, 2025

Inoculation Strategies to Infect Plant Roots with Soil-Borne Microorganisms

Inoculation Strategies to Infect Plant Roots with Soil-Borne Microorganisms

Published on: March 1, 2022

Area of Science:

Plant biology
Ecology
Agricultural science

Background:

Over 3000 flowering plant species are parasitic, obtaining water and nutrients via haustoria.
Root hemiparasites, a third of parasitic angiosperms, have leaves and roots, enabling dual nutrient acquisition.
The Scrophulariaceae family hosts root hemiparasites, offering insights into nutritional strategies between autotrophy and holoparasitism.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate the nutritional balance between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition in root hemiparasitic plants.
Understand the nutritional dependency of tropical hemiparasites on hosts, which are significant agricultural weeds.
Explore novel ideas regarding the carbon relations of parasitic plants.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of autotrophic and heterotrophic nutritional strategies.
Ecological studies on parasitic plants within the Scrophulariaceae family.
Research focused on the carbon relations and host dependency of hemiparasitic weeds.

Main Results:

Root hemiparasites present a unique model for studying the interplay of self-nutrition and host-derived nutrition.
Tropical hemiparasites in the Scrophulariaceae family are major weeds of cereals and legumes.
Studies have generated new insights into the carbon physiology of these plants.

Conclusions:

Root hemiparasites offer a valuable system for understanding plant nutrition and host-parasite interactions.
The nutritional strategies of hemiparasites have significant implications for agriculture due to their weed status.
Further research into carbon relations can illuminate the evolution and ecology of parasitic plants.