Volume 16(1), 216-219, 2012 JOURNAL of Horticulture, Forestry and Biotechnology www.journal-hfb.usab-tm.ro

Research on the spreading of in South-East Transylvania – Romania

Tanase Maria1*, Sand Camelia1, Gheorghe Maria2, Moise Cristina1, Stanciu Mirela1, Antonie Iuliana1

1University “Lucian Blaga” Sibiu; 2Romanian Academy

*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Abstract Cuscuta (dodder) species are holoparasitic anthophytes, almost Key words entirely deprived of roots, but having filamentary stems; and attacking numerous host , on which they fix themselves by means of haustoria. Cuscuta sp,. host plants, The economic losses determined by the presence of the dodder are rather quarantine parasite, difficult to support by developing countries, especially by those which are in spreading need of agricultural development. In the region on which the research has been carried out, the most common species occurring in grasslands and perennial leguminous forages have been: Cuscuta campestris (Yuncker), Cuscuta epithymum (Murray (L.) Noth.) and Cuscuta trifolii (Babington). The presence of Cuscuta on cultures can cause substantial damages not only in our country, but in all countries with a warm and temperate climate, in which it is regarded as a quarantine parasite. [5] The Cuscuta species have developed certain means of adaptation in order to increase their rate of success: a late seed germination, when host-plants are relatively well-developed; a rather high degree of independence which can ensure its survival during a quite long period of autotrophic life (maximum of one month); the invasion of the host by extremely elaborated and complicated means, etc. Cuscuta disseminates to a large extent by means of its seeds, which are extremely numerous and small, and which keep the germination in deposits over a period of between 10-12 years, or even up to 40 years [24], and in the ground or in stable garbage for up to 5-6 years. It also disseminates by means of filaments or segments of filaments, which are vegetative forms of this plant and which can be spread by means of animals or people walking in the grasslands and in the infected crops. This study’s aim is to monitor various Cuscuta species, as well as their spreading on different host plants, thus causing a significant crop decrease.

The dodder raises many problems and produces vessels are protected by a sclerenchym layer. Anyway, damages on several types of crops on the entire surface such plants can support Cuscuta on road-sides, field of the Sibiu county. According to recent research borders and other non-cropped areas, as well as within results (2008 - 2011), grasslands and perennial fields of non-host crops. leguminous forages are highly infested by Cuscuta, Due to the fact that certain fitosanitary rules have not recording a frequency and an attack degree of between been abided by, the dodder has been disseminating on 10-80%, thus destroying the crop and determining an even larger areas. Therefore, there has been a yearly even more intense dissemination of this parasite. increase in the seed reserve. Beside the substantial Beside determining a decrease in production, the damage caused on perennial leguminous forages, dodder is also known as a vector in the transmission of Cuscuta is also often found in meadows and hayfields, certain viruses on potatoes, perennial leguminous where – beside the damage it produces – it also has forages or for causing certain viruses of the sugar beet a negative influence on the decorative, touristic aspect [1]; [4]; [12]; [6]; [11]; [8]; [23]; [18]. of the landscape [3]. During our research, no single Cuscuta parasitizes a large number of plants, but dodder-free leguminous forages culture has been significant is primarily the damage caused on perennial found. leguminous forges, such as , clover, cockshead, bird’s foot trefoil and mixtures of disseminated Material and Methods grasslands and natural meadows. Dodder has also been In order to attain the aims of this study, several discovered on Gramineae (Poaceae) in meadows, etc., expeditions on the territory have been required within although according to the literature on this field, the Gramineae cannot be parasitized since their conductive

216 the period April – October on an annual basis between the Cuscuta species, blossoms and inflorescences have 2008 and 2011. been the only taxonomic characters regarded and The data was collected from different grasslands, and evaluated. Seven parasite species have been found on for each of them we took notes on the host plant, the numerous host plants, but the most frequent species degree of attack, the species of Cuscuta, as well as on was the Cuscuta campestris (Yuncker) parasitizing on the phonological phase of both Cuscuta and its host numerous host plant species from different botanic plant. families; even plants which, according to literature, are The obtained data was verified on numerous types of not hosts for Cuscuta species (Poaceae), as shown in grassland for several years in a row. In order to identify the table below (Table 1).

Table 1 Host plants of the Cuscuta campestris species in South-East Transylvania Nr. Host plants Botanic family Host plants New host plants crt. quoted in literature 1. Agropyron repens Poaceae ssp. pentagona, var. transilvanica 2. Amaranthus retroflexus Amaranthaceae 3. Artemisia vulgaris Asteraceae 4. Chenopodium album Chenopodiaceae 5. Cirsium arvense Asteraceae 6. Convolvulus arvensis 7. Coronilla varia Fabaceae 8. Echinochloa crus-galli Poaceae 9. Equisetum arvense Equisetaceae 10. Erigeron canadensis Asteraceae 11. Galeopsis speciosa Lamiaceae 12. Galeopsis tetrahit Lamiaceae 13. Galinsoga parviflora Asteraceae 14. Heracleum palmatum Apiaceae 15. Lotus corniculatus Fabaceae 16. Medicago falcata Fabaceae 17. Medicago sativa Fabaceae 18. Mentha longifolia Lamiaceae 19. Onobrychis viciifolia Fabaceae 20. Plantago lanceolata Plantaginaceae 21. Polygonum aviculare Polygonaceae ssp. campestris, var. breviloba 22. Polygonum mite Polygonaceae 23. Raphanus raphanistrum Brassicaceae 24. Rumex obtusifolius Polygonaceae ssp. pentagona, var. transilvanica 25. Setaria glauca Poaceae 26. Solanum tuberosum Solanaceae 27. Sonchus sp. (oleraceus) Asteraceae 28. Taraxacum officinale Asteraceae 29. Trifolium hybridum Fabaceae 30. Trifolium pratense Fabaceae 31. Trifolium repens Fabaceae 32. Urtica dioica Urticaceae

217 Results and Discussions the weed will overbreed extremely quickly; and while it disseminates, host-plants parch and die, the There are numerous dicotyledonous weeds which serve production of cultivated plants thus being reduced by as hosts for Cuscuta. Such plants can support Cuscuta up to 90% or even 100% [10]; [19]. on road-sides, field borders, and other non-cropped areas, as well as within fields of non-host crops. Conclusions Weedy hosts have many significant economic effects. They can perpetuate and even amplify the reservoir of After analysing the numerous samples collected during Cuscuta seeds in the soil during years when non-host the incursions organized in the Sibiu county between crops are grown. Furthermore, they also serve as a first 2008 and 2011, one can assert that on the area of the attachment site for Cuscuta seedlings. Sibiu county there are several species of Cuscuta, Cuscuta represents a major weed problem in which parasitize a wide range of host-plants [21]. The agricultural production, since its suppresses host-plants preferred by the dodder are mainly crops and reduces yield. The large populations of perennial leguminous forages. However, Cuscuta is Cuscuta have developed substantially; fact which also found on vegetable crops, on different types of damages and sometimes even kills the crop hosts. weeds, as well as on the Gramineae in grasslands and According to the research carried out, Table 1 hayfields [20]. synthesizes the main results regarding the dodder in Cuscuta raises many problems for different cultures, all South-East Transylvania, showing that the favourite over Romania; and the results of this research show host plants of the Cuscuta campestris seem to be that many cultures are highly intoxicated by Cuscuta. perennial leguminous forages. However, further species have been discovered as host plants as well, Acknowledgement such as the Gramineae (Poaceae). Cuscuta raises many problems for different cultures, all This work was cofinanced from the European Social over Romania; and the results of this research show Fund through Sectoral Operational Programme Human that many cultures are highly intoxicated by Cuscuta. Resources Development 2007-2013, project number There are several characteristics which explain the POSDRU/89/1.5/S/63258 ”Postdoctoral school for weed’s adaptation to parasitism, such as: a great zootechnical biodiversity and food biotehnology based fertility (up to 10,000 seeds per plant); a long period of on the eco-economy and the bio-economy required by subsistence for the search of host plants; an echeloned eco-san-genesys”. generative of long duration, due to the phenomenon of tegumentary inhibition; the living haustoria’ resistance inside the host plant while the parasite’s stems are References dead; haustoria which can regenerate the parasite plant, thus becoming perennial. 1. Bennett, C.W., 1940. 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