studies on host selectivity by cuscuta gronovii
abstract
the host selectivity of the plant parasite cuscuta gronovii, and its growing
patterns were investigated among pairings of corn, bean, and tomato plants in various
combinations. these pairings were set up in pots, in a greenhouse environment. seeds of
c. gronovii were germinated and a single seedling was placed between each pairing.
observations were made over a two week period. it was observed that only 11% of
cuscuta gronovii seedlings made a choice with regards to host selection, the remaining
89% failed to make a choice as they either died, showed inhibited growth or nondirectional
growth. suggestions are made to explain why these results deviated from
those found previously in the scientific literature.
collections
- undergraduate theses [325]