Fenugreek root exudates show species-specific stimulation of Orobanche seed germination

Various Orobanche species are weedy and cause severe reduction in the yields of many important crops. The seeds of these parasitic weeds may remain dormant in the soil for many years until germination is stimulated by the release of a chemical signal from a host plant. In order to determine the effects of fenugreek root exudate on the induction of Orobanche crenata, Orobanche ramosa and Orobanche foetida seed germination, root exudate was collected from hydroponically grown fenugreek seedlings. Fractionation patterns obtained from column and thin layer chromatography of the fenugreek root exudate showed a set of metabolites differing in their polarity with stimulatory activity on Orobanche seed germination. The crude root exudate stimulated both O. ramosa and O. crenata seed germination to the same level caused by the synthetic germination stimulant GR24 at 10 mg L^?1. It also stimulated O. foetida seed germination which did not respond to GR24. Active fractions of root exudate stimulated the germination of Orobanche species differentially.     

Investigation of wheat as a trap crop for control of Orobanche minor

Orobanche minor is a parasitic weed that attaches to the roots of red clover (Trifolium pratense) and a number of other broad‐leaved plant species in the Pacific Northwest USA. Orobanche minor seed must be stimulated by host plant exudates for germination and attachment to occur. However, plant species called false‐hosts can stimulate parasitic seed germination without attachment. These species could be utilized as trap crops to reduce the amount of parasitic seed in infested soil. Wheat (Triticum aestivum), was found to be a false‐host of O. minor; therefore, growth chamber, glasshouse and field soil experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of six soft white winter wheats (T. aestivum), one durum wheat (Triticum turgidum), and one triticale (Triticale hexaploide) on O. minor germination. In growth chamber experiments, wheat and triticale induced 20–70% of O. minor seeds to germinate. In glasshouse studies, O. minor attachment was minimal on red clover plants grown in pots previously planted to wheat or triticale. In pots that did not receive a false‐host treatment, red clover plants averaged 4.2 O. minor attachments per plant. Red clover plants also had fewer O. minor attachments when grown in field soil taken from the plots where wheat or triticale were grown compared with plants grown in soil where no wheat or triticale were previously grown. Our results demonstrate that wheat may have the potential to be effectively integrated into an O. minor management system.     

Influence of Root Exudates on Orobanche Seed Germination*

Broomrape (Orobanche ramosa L.) is a common root parasite of solanaceous, leguminous and other crops grown in the semi-arid regions of the world. The seeds germinate when root exudates from host plants are released in their immediate vicinity (Lindley, 1853; Koch, 1887; Chabrolin, 1934). Brown et al. (1951a) reported that non-host plants, such as flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) may stimulate Orobanche seed germination without being parasitized. The stimulating properties of flax exudate were studied by Brown et al. (1951b). They reported that the stimulant was unstable in alkaline solutions, but moderately stable in weakly acidic media, which may indicate the presence of an acidic (lactone) grouping. Nash & Wilhelm (1960) reported that gibberellic acid in agar media stimulated O. ramosa seed germination. Abu- Shakra, Miah & Saghir (1970) found that pre-treatment of 0. ramosa seeds with 100 ppm of gibberellic acid followed by incubation on a flax-root diffusate agar medium gave a high (81·7%) germination. The purpose of this study was to collect root exudates from three species of plants cultured under three experimental systems, namely (a) germ-free, (b) glasshouse (non-sterile), and (c) growth chamber (hydroponic, initially aseptic), and to evaluate their biological activity as germination stimulants for O. ramosa seeds. The plants used were tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) and flax. Exudate from marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) also was collected from germ-free culture.     

Germination response of Orobanche seeds subjected to conditioning temperature, water potential and growth regulator treatments

Broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) are parasitic weeds that cause significant losses of crop yield. Experiments were conducted to investigate the seed response to the artificial germination stimulant GR₂₄ in three species of Orobanche subjected to preconditioning under various temperatures, water potentials and with plant growth regulators. The highest germination percentages were observed in Orobanche ramosa, Orobanche aegyptiaca and Orobanche minor seeds conditioned at 18°C for 7 days followed by germination stimulation at 18°C. With the increase of the conditioning period (7, 14, 21 and 28 days), the germination percentage of O. ramosa and O. aegyptiaca progressively decreased. When conditioned at −2 MPa, the germination percentage was lower than at 0 and −1 MPa, especially at 13 and 28°C. Orobanche minor seeds could retain relatively high germination if conditioned at 18, 23 or 28°C, even after significantly extended conditioning periods (up to 84 days). GA₃ (30–100 mg L⁻¹), norflurazon and fluridone (10–100 mg L⁻¹), and brassinolide (0.5–1.0 mg L⁻¹) increased seed germination, while 0.01 mg L⁻¹ uniconazole significantly reduced germination rates of all three Orobanche spp. The promotional effects of GA₃ and norflurazon and the inhibitory effect of uniconazole were evident, even when they were treated for 3 days. Germination of Orobanche seeds was much lower when the unconditioned seeds were directly exposed to GR₂₄ at 10⁻⁶ m . This early GR₂₄-induced inhibition was however alleviated or even eliminated by the inclusion of GA₃ or norflurazon (10–50 mg L⁻¹) in the conditioning medium. On the contrary, the inclusion of uniconazole increased the inhibitory effect of GR₂₄, particularly in the case of O. ramosa.     

根寄生杂草种子萌发剂概述

独脚金属（Striga spp.）及列当属（Orobanche spp.和Phelipanchce spp.）杂草是世界范围内对农业生产危害严重的根寄生杂草,主要依靠寄生茄科、豆科、谷类等作物获得水分和营养。根寄生杂草种子只有在合适的萌发诱导物（如独脚金内酯）刺激下才能萌发。文章从根寄生杂草的分类、分布及危害,种子萌发剂类型及适用范围,种子萌发剂独脚金内酯的生物合成及分离鉴定,根寄生杂草种子萌发诱导剂的作用机制以及种子萌发过程中激素间协同调控作用等方面进行了综述,并展望了种子萌发剂设计筛选及其在根寄生杂草化学防控中的潜在应用前景。     

Characterization of the Orobanche–Medicago truncatula association for studying early stages of the parasite–host interaction

There is an increasing interest in the legume species Medicago truncatula as a model plant for structural and functional genomic studies that can be used to identify agronomically important genes in legumes. Field screening has shown very high levels of resistance to Orobanche crenata in M. truncatula. However, in vitro studies with O. crenata, Orobanche foetida, Orobanche ramosa and Orobanche minor showed useful variation among accessions at early stages of the parasite–host interaction. Significant differences were observed in the levels of germination of O. crenata and O. foetida seeds induced by different accessions of M. truncatula. Only limited germination was observed on accession SA‐4327. All accessions induced little O. ramosa and O. minor germination. Accessions also varied in the number of O. crenata and O. foetida attachments supported, with few developing on accession SA‐27774. The variation observed for induction of germination and of subsequent attachment will be useful to isolating and characterizing genes involved in the early stages of Orobanche–host plant interaction and for the study of the biosynthetic pathways of production for germination stimulants.     

Dormancy and viability of Phalaris minor seed in a rice–wheat cropping system

Seed placement, soil temperature and soil moisture content influenced the process of after-ripening in Phalaris minor seeds. Seeds of P. minor collected from the soil just after wheat harvesting exhibited higher germination than seeds from P. minor threshed directly. There was a pronounced impact of periodic inhabitation of seed into the soil on germination after its dispersal. Germination was strongly inhibited when the seed was kept in soil at more than field capacity (FC) or in water. Maximum germination of seed incubated in soil at FC occurred at 30°C while a temperature of 40°C favoured after-ripening of seed when mixed with dry soil or kept dry without any medium. Release from conditional dormancy was quicker in the seed retrieved from the soil kept at 20°C than at 10°C. Seed release from conditional dormancy and germination increased with a rise in temperature from 30 to 40°C when the seed was retrieved from incubation in soil at FC for 70 days. The seed kept immersed in water was least responsive to a rise in temperature. Seed recovered from dry soil, or kept without any medium, responded quickly at both temperatures. Light enhanced the germination of Phalaris minor seed. The seedbank subjected to rice (Oryza sativa) field management conditions lost vigour in comparison with the seed stored in laboratory. There was significant variability in seed viability when exposed to differential water management conditions in rice.     

Detecting<Emphasis Type="Italic">Orobanche</Emphasis> species by using cpDNA diagnostic markers

Some species of the genusOrobanche are among the most devastating parasitic weeds, causing extensive damage in agricultural fields. Considering the difficult control due to seed longevity in the soil, small seed size, high fecundity and a subterranean phase that allows them to parasitize the host before they emerge and become evident, the development of diagnostic markers is highly recommended. In our study we identified potential molecular diagnostic markers from the plastid genome in order to distinguish among the most importantOrobanche species attacking crops in Andalusia, the southern region of the Iberian Peninsula. The study has consideredO. crenata, O ramosa andO. cumana causing serious losses in legumes, solanaceous crops and sunflower fields, respectively, andO. minor that, although abundant in Andalusia, has to our knowledge not yet been found parasitizing agricultural hosts. We amplified a non-coding region from the plastid genome, studied sequence differences among the amplified fragments and digested those of the same length with selected restriction enzymes. Here, we propose a molecular protocol to distinguish the main parasitic plants in crop fields of southern Spain. Different applications such as identification ofOrobanche seeds in soil or crop seed lots are discussed in order to offer right crop recommendations or to prevent new infestation of parasite-free fields. Recommendations for further development of these diagnostic markers are also considered. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Jan. 15, 2007.     

Orobanche palaestina: a potential threat to agricultural crops in Israel

Weeds of the genus Orobanche are obligatory chlorophyll-lacking root parasites that infect and severely damage many dicotyledonous agricultural crops in warm-temperate and subtropical regions of the world. The genus comprises over 100 species, at least six of which are notable weeds. Orobanche palaestina Reut. is an endemic Mediterranean species, previously reported to parasitize thistles [Notobasis syriaca (L.) Cass. and Cirsium phyllocephalum Boiss. & Bl.] and annual legumes in native Mediterranean habitats, mainly in disturbed places such as roadsides and waste sites. In recent years, we have observed a rapid expansion of O. palaestina populations adjacent to commercial agricultural fields in the Jezreel Valley of Israel. The ability of O. palaestina to infect crops was tested in pots under nethouse conditions. The experiments revealed that O. palaestina is able to parasitize agricultural crops. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), gazania (Gazania uniflora Gaertn.), vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) were found to be potential hosts for this parasite, and all of them, except vetch and artichoke, were preferred to thistle, the native host. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) induced O. palaestina seed germination and root attachment, but the attached parasites could not reach maturity and died soon after the attachment stage. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), carrot (Daucus carota L.), garland chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L.) and cabbage (Brassica oleraceae L.) were not parasitized by O. palaestina.     

The effect of salt stress on Arabidopsis thaliana and Phelipanche ramosa interaction

Salinity and Orobanche or Phelipanche spp. infection are important crop stress factors in agricultural areas. In this study, we investigated the effect of salt stress on Phelipanche ramosa seed germination and its attachment onto Arabidopsis thaliana roots. We also evaluated the effect of both stresses on the expression of genes regulated by abiotic and biotic stresses. According to our results, high concentration of NaCl delayed P. ramosa seed germination in the presence of a strigolactone analogue (GR24). A similar pattern was observed in the presence of A. thaliana plants. Furthermore, we found that salt‐treated A. thaliana seedlings were more sensitive to P. ramosa attachment compared with the untreated plants, indicating that there was a positive correlation between salt sensitivity and the ability of P. ramosa to infect A. thaliana plants. At the molecular level, a synergystic effect of both salt and P. ramosa stresses was observed on the cold‐regulated (COR) gene expression profile of treated A. thaliana seedlings. Our data clarify the interaction between parasitic plants and their hosts under abiotic stress conditions.     

Biochemical factors involved in vetch resistance toOrobanche aegyptiaca

Experiments were performed to elucidate the biochemical nature of the differential response of resistantVicia atropurpureacv. Popany and susceptibleVicia sativacv. Yovel to the parasitic weedOrobanche aegyptiaca. Plant root material was obtained by growing vetch plants in association withOrobancheseeds on glass microfibre filter sheets inserted in polyethylene bags replenished by nutrient solution. Higher concentrations of bound phenolics, free phenolics and lignin, and higher activity of peroxidase were observed in cv. Popany roots as a result ofO. aegyptiacainfection than were found in cv. Yovel vetch. No differences in hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins levels were detected between infected and non-infected roots of either vetch cultivar. These results suggest that the resistant vetch defense mechanism involves elevated induction of the phenylproponoid pathway uponOrobancheinfection, conferring mechanical and chemical barriers confronting the invading parasite.     

Granular formulation of Fusarium oxysporum for biological control of faba bean and tomato Orobanche

BACKGROUND: Orobanche spp. represent a serious threat to a wide range of crops. They are difficult targets for herbicides, and biological control could provide a possible solution. This work therefore aimed to formulate mycoherbicides of Fusarium with adequate shelf life and virulence against Orobanche but safe to faba bean and tomato. RESULTS: Only two isolates of Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. (Foxy I and Foxy II) obtained from diseased Orobanche shoots were found to be pathogenic to Orobanche crenata Forsk. and Orobanche ramosa L. Conidial suspension of both isolates significantly decreased germination, attachments and tubercles of Orobanche. Microconidia and chlamydospores of both isolates were formulated as mycoherbicides encapsulated in a wheat flour–kaolin matrix (four different formulations). All formulations greatly diminished Orobanche emerged shoots, total shoot number, shoot height, attachment of emerged shoots, the germinated seeds that succeeded in emerging above the soil surface and dry weight. Meanwhile, disease incidence and disease severity of emerged shoots were enhanced. The shelf life was adequate, particularly for coarse, freshly prepared, low‐temperature‐stored, microconidia‐rich formulations. The induced growth reduction of Orobanche‐infected host plants seemed to be nullified by formulations, particularly at the highest dose. CONCLUSION: These formulations seemed to destroy Orobanche but appeared harmless to host plants. Hence, they could be efficiently used as mycoherbicides for biological control of Orobanche in faba bean and tomato. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

非寄主和寄主种子分泌物对大豆疫霉活性的影响

为探寻非寄主和寄主种子分泌物中抗病信号分子,通过显微观察,采用菌丝生长速率法和离体接种法对不同种子分泌物处理后大豆疫霉Phytophthora sojae的游动孢子数、孢子囊数、游动孢子释放后残留的空囊数、成囊和未成囊的游动孢子数、萌发和未萌发的胞囊数、菌落直径、卵孢子数进行测量,并计算抑制率,明确非寄主菜豆和寄主大豆抗病品种、感病品种种子分泌物对大豆疫霉游动孢子趋化性、生长发育和侵袭力的影响。结果显示,非寄主菜豆种子分泌物不吸引大豆疫霉游动孢子,显著抑制大豆疫霉孢子囊形成、胞囊萌发和卵孢子产生,抑制率依次为97.3%、73.0%和17.5%,然后溶解胞囊,最终导致游动孢子对下胚轴侵袭力降低,抑制率为67.1%。寄主大豆种子分泌物能吸引大豆疫霉游动孢子,感病品种种子分泌物吸引力高于抗病品种。感病品种种子分泌物对大豆疫霉生长发育无显著影响,但促进大豆疫霉游动孢子侵袭力;抗病品种种子分泌物显著抑制大豆疫霉孢子囊形成、胞囊萌发和卵孢子产生,抑制率依次为86.6%、34.3%和12.8%,然后溶解胞囊,但作用强度小于非寄主菜豆种子分泌物,最终导致游动孢子对下胚轴的侵袭力降低,抑制率为24.2%。表明非寄主菜豆和寄主大豆抗病品种的种子分泌物对大豆疫霉有抑菌活性,大豆疫霉的非寄主和寄主抗病性与种子分泌物有关。     

Suicidal germination for parasitic weed control

Parasitic weeds of the genera Striga and Orobanche spp. cause severe yield losses in agriculture, especially in developing countries and the Mediterranean. Seeds of these weeds germinate by a chemical signal exuded by the roots of host plants. The radicle thus produced attaches to the root of the host plant, which can then supply nutrients to the parasite. There is an urgent need to control these weeds to ensure better agricultural production. The naturally occurring chemical signals are strigolactones (SLs), e.g. strigol and orobanchol. One option to control these weeds involves the use of SLs as suicidal germination agents, where germination takes place in the absence of a host. Owing to the lack of nutrients, the germinated seeds will die. The structure of natural SLs is too complex to allow multigram synthesis. Therefore, SL analogues are developed for this purpose. Examples are GR24 and Nijmegen‐1. In this paper, the SL analogues Nijmegen‐1 and Nijmegen‐1 Me were applied in the field as suicidal germination agents. Both SL analogues were formulated using an appropriate EC‐approved emulsifier (polyoxyethylene sorbitol hexaoleate) and applied to tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) fields infested by Orobanche ramosa L. (hemp broomrape), following a strict protocol. Four out of 12 trials showed a reduction in broomrape of ≥95%, two trials were negative, two showed a moderate result, one was unclear and in three cases there was no Orobanche problem in the year of the trials. The trial plots were ca 2000 m²; half of that area was treated with stimulant emulsion, the other half was not treated. The optimal amount of stimulant was 6.25 g ha^?1. A preconditioning prior to the treatment was a prerequisite for a successful trial. In conclusion, the suicidal germination approach to reducing O. ramosa in tobacco fields using formulated SL analogues was successful. Two other options for weed control are discussed: deactivation of stimulants prior to action and biocontrol by Fusarium oxysporum. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Bioassay-led isolation of Myrothecium verrucaria and verrucarin A as germination inhibitors of Orobanche crenata

A total of 188 fungal isolates was obtained from the rhizosphere of Vicia faba grown in an Egyptian soil heavily infested with Orobanche species. Agar cultures of 58 isolates inhibited the germination of conditioned seed of Orobanche crenata exposed to the germination stimulant, GR24. Filtrates of inhibitory fungi grown in liquid medium for 9–15 days were also assayed and those of five isolates, which were morphologically similar, inhibited germination even when diluted 16-fold. The fungus was identified as Myrothecium verrucaria (Alb. & Schwein.) Ditmar by its morphology and the nucleotide sequence of the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of the ribosomal repeat unit. Purification of the inhibitor to homogeneity was accomplished by solvent partitioning, flash chromatography on silica gel, semi-preparative HPLC on a reversed phase C18 column, solid phase extraction and tlc on silica gel. The inhibitor was identified as verrucarin A by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and comparison of the spectra with those of an authentic sample of the compound. A preliminary experiment demonstrated that infection of V. faba by O. crenata could be prevented by addition of spores of the fungus to soil infested by the parasite.     

Germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmodiophora brassicae</Emphasis> resting spores stimulated by a non-host plant

Plant-induced germination of Plasmodiophora brassicae resting spores was studied in a laboratory experiment. Spore reaction was analysed in nutrient solution with exudates from growing roots of different plant species – one host plant (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) and four non-host plants (Lolium perenne, Allium porrum, Secale cereale and Trifolium pratense) – and in controls with distilled water and nutrient solution. It was found that root exudates from L. perenne stimulated spore germination more than exudates from the other plants, including those from the host plant. The effect could not be explained by differences in the nutritional composition of the solutions due to differential uptake of the plant species, or by differences in root activity, measured as exudation of soluble sugars. This is the first time such a separation of factors has been done in analysing the influence of plants on P. brassicae germination. Although stimulation of P. brassicae resting spore germination is not restricted to the presence of host plants, it seems to vary depending on the plant species.     

Compounds from the subterranean part of Johnsongrass and their allelopathic potential

The allelopathic effects of the exotic invasive weed, Johnsongrass, on Lactuca sativa, a native plant in China, were evaluated and the phytotoxins were investigated under laboratory conditions. The crude extracts (chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions) that were obtained from the ethanol extract of the subterranean parts of Johnsongrass inhibited the germination speed and growth of the roots and shoots of the test plant. The four compounds, ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate, diosmetin, apigenin, and luteolin, were isolated from the extract of the subterranean parts of Johnsongrass first, along with three other compounds (reported previously), p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, and dhurrin, and they all were evaluated on L. sativa. At the concentration of <0.5 mmol L^?1, ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate, dhurrin, and the mixture of the compounds delayed the germination speed of the seeds of L. sativa at 24 h of incubation, while apigenin delayed the germination speed of the seeds of L. sativa at 72 h of incubation. Ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate demonstrated the strongest delaying effect among the phenols and a similar effect was found with apigenin among the flavonoids, wheras ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate induced a drastic inhibition of the germination at 2 mmol L^?1. In contrast, p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and luteolin had no effect on the germination at any concentration at any stage. All the substances inhibited the shoot and root growth of L. sativa at 3 mmol L^?1. Increasing the concentration increased the inhibition of the growth of L. sativa. The inhibitory activity of ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate and p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde was greater than that of the other compounds. This result suggested that the isolated phytotoxins might contribute to the successful invasion by Johnsongrass.     

Pisatin involvement in the variation of inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi spore germination by root exudates of Pisum spp. germplasm

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi (Fop) is one of the major constraints of pea worldwide. Its control is difficult and is mainly based on the use of resistant cultivars. This study aimed to identify and characterize resistance mechanisms interfering with Fop spore germination, as an additional pre‐penetration resistance mechanism little explored so far. For this, root exudates were collected from 12 pea accessions with differential responses to the disease, from resistant to susceptible, and their effects on Fop germination and growth were determined. While root exudates from most accessions stimulated Fop germination, the root exudates of three accessions, JI 1412, JI 2480 and P42, did not stimulate, or even inhibited, Fop germination. Although some additional compounds might be involved, the analysis showed that the most active metabolite was the pea phytoalexin pisatin. Pisatin was identified in the active fraction of pea root exudate extracts and its amount in the root exudates was negatively correlated with the extent of Fop germination. This suggests an important role of pisatin in the constitutive defence of pea against F. oxysporum.     

Intraspecific seasonal variation of dormancy and mortality of Phelipanche ramosa seeds

Phelipanche ramosa (Branched broomrape) is an obligate root parasitic plant that is a major pest of oilseed rape in France. Knowledge on seed viability and dormancy under field conditions is crucial to understand how to control P. ramosa, but is as yet unknown. Our study aimed to quantify these processes with a 2‐year seed burial experiment. Two genetically distinct populations of P. ramosa were studied, collected on winter oilseed rape (population O) and hemp (population H). Seed mortality was very low in both populations (4–7% per year). Although obligate parasitic seeds are assumed to germinate only after exposure to germination stimulants from host root exudates, a high proportion of population H seeds germinated spontaneously (up to 90%). Seeds of both populations displayed seasonal dormancy, with timing and magnitude depending on the population. Dormancy was low at the time each native host crop is usually sown. Populations differed in germination dynamics, with seeds of population H germinating faster. The difference in behaviour that we observed between populations is consistent with reported adaptations of pathovars to their preferred hosts. The results indicate that the parasitic plant management requires targeting at the populations concerned. For example, delayed sowing is more promising against population O than against population H.     

Germination stimulatory activity of bacterial butenolide hormones from Streptomyces albus J1074 on seeds of the root parasitic weed Orobanche minor

Damage caused by Orobanchaceae root parasitic weeds is a substantial agricultural problem for global food security. Many studies have been conducted to establish practical methods of control, but efforts are still required for successful management. Seed germination of root parasitic weeds requires host-derived germination stimulants including strigolactones (SLs). Studies on SLs have revealed that a butenolide ring is the essential moiety for SL activity as a germination stimulant. Interestingly, recent studies have revealed that butenolide hormones regulate the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and mediate communication in actinomycete bacteria. Because of the structural similarity between SLs and the bacterial butenolides, we evaluated the germination stimulatory activity of butenolides isolated from Streptomyces albus J1074 on root parasitic weeds. These butenolides were found to specifically induce seed germination of Orobanche minor. Our findings contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms of germination stimulant perception and to the development of a method for their biological control.