Daniel M. Joel

Characterization of resistance in chickpea to crenate broomrape (Orobanche crenata)

Abstract Crenate broomrape is a major constraint for legume production in Mediterranean and East Asian countries. Resistance to this parasitic weed is scarce in many legumes but is common in chickpea germ plasm. A detailed in vitro study has shown that resistance in chickpea is the result of the combination of at least two mechanisms. First, and most importantly, the two chickpea lines studied have been identified with low rates of stimulant production. Once germination is induced by exogenous applications of the synthetic germination stimulant GR24, thus overcoming the primary resistance mechanism in these lines, a second resistance mechanism is apparent. This is evidenced by a darkening of host cell tissue in contact with the broomrape radicle, leading to failure of establishment, which was frequently observed in the chickpea accessions. Anatomical studies have shown that this apparently “hypersensitive” response does not correspond with the death of host cells in contact with the parasite cells but corresponds to blocking and death of the penetration structures of the parasite. Nomenclature: Crenate broomrape, Orobanche crenata Forsk. ORACR; chickpea, Cicer arietinum L. CICAR.

The synthetic strigolactone GR24 influences the growth pattern of phytopathogenic fungi

Strigolactones that are released by plant roots to the rhizosphere are involved in both plant symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and in plant infection by root parasitic plants. In this paper, we describe the response of various phytopathogenic fungi to the synthetic strigolactone GR24. When GR24 was embedded in the growth medium, it inhibited the growth of the root pathogens Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis, Fusarium solani f. sp. mango, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Macrophomina phaseolina, and of the foliar pathogens Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum acutatum and Botrytis cinerea. In the presence of this synthetic strigolactone, intense branching activity was exhibited by S. sclerotiorum, C. acutatum and F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis. Slightly increased hyphal branching was observed for A. alternata, F. solani f. sp. mango and B. cinerea, whereas suppression of hyphal branching by GR24 was observed in M. phaseolina. These results suggest that strigolactones not only affect mycorrhizal fungi and parasitic plants, but they also have a more general effect on phytopathogenic fungi.

Variation among and within populations of the parasitic weed Orobanche crenata from Spain and Israel revealed by inter simple sequence repeat markers

ABSTRACT The patterns of genetic variation among Orobanche crenata populations from Spain and Israel were studied using radiolabeled inter simple sequence repeat amplification products that were separated in sequencing polyacrylamide gels. The analysis of molecular variance indicated that most of the genetic diversity was attributable to differences among individuals within a population although significant divergences were found between regions. The Jaccards similarity matrix was analyzed by unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average and the resultant dendrogram clearly divided six populations by region, with the Spanish populations being more similar to each other than the Israeli populations. These results are consistent with the predominantly allogamous behavior of O. crenata and the extremely efficient dispersal of its seeds.

Use of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers in the study of the parasitic weed Orobanche

Despite the tremendous economic impact of broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) on agriculture in many countries little is known of the pattern of genetic variation within this group of parasitic weeds. The present paper describes the use of RAPD markers for the study of five Orobanche species in agricultural fields in Israel. Pronounced genetic differentiation was found between the species, and RAPD markers were raised for the identification of each of them. Southern-hybridization patterns of RAPD products of the various species were used to confirm the interpretation. The same markers were valid both for broomrapes collected in agricultural fields and for those collected in natural habitats. The validity of the markers found for O. cumana and O. crenata was confirmed on plants of the same species that were collected in Spain. Parsimony analysis of 86 RAPD characters produced a tree that clearly distinguishes between the five studied Orobanche species, separates the two Orobanche species belonging to sect. Trionychon from those belonging to sect. Osproleon, and supports the separation of O. cumana from O. cernua and of O. aegyptiaca from O. ramosa.

Population genetics in weedy species of Orobanche.

Broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) are holoparasitic plants without chlorophyll, parasitising roots of a wide range of hosts. Some species are noxious weeds having a devastating effect on many important crops. Knowledge of the variability in the population genetics of weedy broomrapes is important in any attempt to develop resistance-breeding strategies for the relevant host crops against these parasites. The distribution of genetic variation in O. aegyptiaca, O. cumana, O. crenata, O. foetida, O. gracilis, O. hederae, O. minor and O. ramosa populations has been reviewed in relation to (1) the amount and structure of population genetic diversity as a consequence of the mating system, (2) the geographic differentiation as shaped by migration, (3) the spread of infestations into new areas followed by genetic drift, and (4) the host-differentiation owing to the host-induced selection. It has been shown that dominant markers such as RAPDs and AFLPs can be used efficiently in the analysis of predominant mating system and in the analysis of host-differentiation. As crop-seed exchange and transport play an important role in migration of seeds of Orobanche, geographical differentiation is difficult to discern from molecular data. Finally, in analysing genetic drift, co-dominant markers such as microsatellites are clearly needed

Identification of single tiny seeds ofOrobanche using RAPD analysis

The tiny seeds of parasitic weeds of the genusOrobanche can be identified by using RAPD markers. A simple procedure for DNA extraction from single seeds, 10 μg each, followed by RAPD-PCR and using specific DNA markers, leads to species identification. Seeds of five different species could be identified using this method.

Ontogenesis of mericarps of bitter fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. var. vulgare) as related to t-anethole accumulation

Bitter fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. var. vulgare, Apiaceae) is a common perennial hemicryptophyte, used since antiquity as a medicinal and aromatic herb in the Mediterranean basin. We describe the anatomical specialization and some of the factors that affect phenylpropene accumulation in the fruits of a t-anethole-rich chemotype during development. Histological examination of fruits by longitudinal sections indicated that each oil duct is an elongated cavity with a series of internal septa at 200-400 μm intervals. Oleoresin accumulation is accompanied by an increase in the oil duct area, as observed in transversal cross sections in early stages of development (from the yellow bud stage to the open flower stage). Upon maturation, oleoresin is further accumulated due to increased duct volume as a result of duct elongation. The main component of the oleoresin, t-anethole, is synthesized during flowering and in the early stages of fruit development, as monitored by the levels of S-adenosine methionine: t-...