Manipulation of light spectral quality disrupts host location and attachment by parasitic plants in the genus Cuscuta

摘要

1. Parasitic plants in the genus Cuscuta (dodders) make their living by extracting resources from other plants. While relatively few dodder species are agricultural pests, those that are can be challenging to control, in part due to their intimate physical and physiological association with host plants. Consequently, dodders remain pervasive and economically damaging pests in a variety of crop systems. The development of improved management strategies would be facilitated by greater understanding of the ecological and environmental factors that influence the establishment and perpetuation of dodder infestations.