Salt-Induced Stomatal Closure Suppresses Parasitism by Phtheirospermum japonicum.

ABSTRACT: In nature, parasitic plants may grow in marginal and stressful environments. However, the effects of concurrent abiotic stress, such as salinity, on parasitism remain underexplored, particularly in facultative root hemiparasites. Here, we examined the effect of salt on the relationship between the parasite Phtheirospermum japonicum and its host, Arabidopsis thaliana. Split-root systems allowing separate application of salt treatment to hosts and parasites were used, enabling disambiguation of effects and the quantification of host-to-parasite salt transfer and nutrient abstraction rates. Host attachment increased parasite susceptibility to salt stress, due to a combination of enhanced salt uptake by the parasite and significant salt transfer from salt-treated hosts. Salt treatment suppress

SUBMITTER: Frederica CF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12660547 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature