A novel approach to Striga and Orobanche control using synthetic germination stimulants |
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| Authors: | A. W. JOHNSON G. ROSEBERY C. PARKER |
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| Affiliation: | School of Molecular Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, England;Ministry of Overseas Development Tropical Weeds Group, Agricultural Research Council Weed Organization, Begbroke Hill, Yarnton, Oxford, OX5 1PF, U.K. |
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| Abstract: | A series of synthetic germination stimulants for the plant parasites Striga and Orobanche has been prepared. These compounds, analogues of the natural Striga germination stimulant, strigol (I), (Cook et al., 1966, 1972) cause signiticant germination of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. seed at concentrations as low as 10?9 M, and an even greater activity against species of Orobanche has been demonstrated. Initial outdoor box trials of the compounds against Striga asiatica (L.) O. Ktze. in Hyderabad, India, have shown a reduction of up to 65% of the seed after a single treatment of the soil 6 weeks before the planting of the sorghum host. |
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