Ecological Aspects of Host-Parasite Interaction, Nile Delta, Egypt

This book aims to define the ecological aspects (soil conditions and factors affecting seed germination) of some selected parasitic flowering plants e.g. Cuscuta and Orobanche. The host-parasite interactions among some flowering plants will be discussed. Soil salinity was found to be an important factor controlling the distribution of parasites. However, Cistanche was found to be less sensitive to soil salinity as indicated by its ability to infect plants living in soil with relatively high salinity. Other soil chemical properties (such as calcium and magnesium contents) played a marginal role if any in controlling the distribution of parasites. Four findings from this book might be summarized as following:1- Seeds of Cuscuta contained more proteins than these of other species reflecting its ability to germinate and presumably live shortly in absence of the host. However less variation was observed in the protein contents of the vegetative parts of the parasites.2- The growth of hosts was affected by the parasite. It increased in some cases and decreased in some others.