Organogenesis of Dodders, Parasitism, Infestation and Development Phases
Innocent Osoro Ngare *
School of Environmental Studies, Kenyatta University. PO Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
James Kibii Koske
School of Environmental Studies, Kenyatta University. PO Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
George Njagi Gathuku
School of Hospitality & Tourism, Strathmore University, PO Box 59857 – 00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Parasitic plants proliferation globally is daunting and a threat to our ecosystems. In this study we explore holoparasites with limitation to dodders (Cuscuta spp. & Cassytha filiformis). An experiment was performed to ascertain anatomical and morphological characteristics of dodder capsule and its stem. We present dodder infestation stages, development phases and close observable internal and external microscopic features. A distinct haustorium trait of dodders is shown by micrographs. The study finds that dodder seeds possess high ecological dispersal character with vast adaptability through morphological analysis. This ramifies their ecological phenotypic plasticity. Externally, dodder stems attack the host phloem through haustoria that suck nutrients from the sap weakening it.
Keywords: Organogenesis, dodder, cuscuta, cassytha, haustoria, dispersal.