White light-grown seedlings of smallseed dodder were (a) provided with unilateral far-red (700 to 800 nm) at photon irradiances ranging from 20 to 110 μmol m−2 s−1 against a background of cool white light (400 to 700 nm) from above at 77 μmol m−2 s−1, or (b) transferred to darkness and provided with unilateral white light at 20 μmol m−2 s−1, unilateral blue light (400 to 500 nm) at 10 μmol m−2 s−1, unilateral red light (600 to 700 nm) at 10 μmol m−2 s−1, unilateral far-red at 50 μmol m−2 s−1, or (c) in experiments utilizing bilateral irradiations, provided with unilateral far-red perpendicular to unilateral white light. Positive phototropic curvature was induced by unilateral white light and by unilateral blue light in otherwise darkness and by unilateral far-red in a background of cool white light. Seedling vines were also phototropic toward unilateral far-red when provided with unilateral white light perpendicular to unilateral far-red. Phototropism to unilateral white light was inhibited in seedlings treated with 200 μM norflurazon and 50 mM potassium iodide. Norflurazon- and potassium iodide-treated seedlings remained phototropic toward unilateral far-red when provided with unilateral white light perpendicular to unilateral far-red. Seedling vines were not phototropic to unilateral red or to unilateral far-red in otherwise darkness, and seedlings in cool white light were neither skototropic (i.e., tropic toward unilateral darkness) nor tropic to or from infra-red (radiation with wavelengths greater than 900 nm). Phototropism toward regions of lowered red:far-red may aid smallseed dodder in chlorophyllous host location and attachment.

Two cultivars of sorghum (CSH-1 and Ochuti) were grown in the presence and absence of the root hemiparasite Striga hermonthica in uniform conditions in the field in Kenya, Africa. S. hermonthica had a marked influence on growth and photosynthesis of ‘CSH-1’; however, ‘Ochuti’ showed a less severe response to infection and tolerance of the parasite. The variation in genotype response might be partly explained by later attachment of the parasite and a lower level of infection. Laboratory studies were used to determine the importance of both variables in determining host response to infection. Early infection by S. hermonthica had a more negative effect on the host than late infection. The level of parasite biomass supported by the host also influenced host productivity but the relationship was nonlinear. Low degrees of parasite infection had a proportionately much greater effect on host grain weight than at greater parasite loading. Early infection of ‘Ochuti’ in laboratory conditions resulted in lower stem dry weight than in uninfected plants but not in smaller total plant biomass or lower rates of photosynthesis. In conclusion, the time of parasite attachment affected host performance and might explain much of the variation in host sensitivity both within and between studies. The level of parasite infection affected host performance to a lesser extent. In addition, late attachment and low levels of infection might have implications for control management strategies.

Eragrostis pilosa (Linn.) P Beauv., a C4 grass native to east Africa, was grown at both ambient (350 μmol mol−1 and elevated (700 μmol mol−1) CO2 in either the presence or absence of the obligate, root hemi-parasite Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. Biomass of infected grasses was only 50% that of uninfected grasses at both CO2 concentrations, with stems and reproductive tissues of infected plants being most severely affected. By contrast, CO2 concentration had no effect on growth of E. pilosa, although rates of photosynthesis were enhanced by 30–40% at elevated CO2. Infection with S. hermonthica did not affect either rates of photosynthesis or leaf areas of E. pilosa, but did bring about an increase in root[ratio ]shoot ratio, leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentration and a decline in leaf starch concentration at both ambient and elevated CO2. Striga hermonthica had higher rates of photosynthesis and shoot concentrations of soluble sugars at elevated CO2, but there was no difference in biomass relative to ambient grown plants. Both infection and growth at elevated CO2 resulted in an increase in the Δ13C value of leaf tissue of E. pilosa, with the CO2 effect being greater. The proportion of host-derived carbon in parasite tissue, as determined from δ13C values, was 27% and 39% in ambient and elevated CO2 grown plants, respectively. In conclusion, infection with S. hermonthica limited growth of E. pilosa, and this limitation was not removed or alleviated by growing the association at elevated CO2.

Maize (Zea mays L.) plants parasitized by the root hemi-parasitic angiosperm, Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth., consistently display a range of symptoms similar to those found in droughted plants. The mechanisms by which these changes occur are largely unknown. However, S. hermonthica has unusually high rates of transpiration, and stomata which are relatively insensitive to water deficit. Consequently, it has often been suggested that the parasite might cause a severe depletion of the available water in the host's rooting zone. To determine whether the lower stomatal conductance and retarded growth of infected plants could be a result of parasite-induced water deficit, we have monitored the matric potential of the growth medium, water use, growth and stomatal conductance of infected vs. uninfected maize plants.

Host plant height and stomatal conductance of parasitized plants were significantly lower than those of control plants from 31 or 37 d after planting (d.a.p.) respectively. However, there was no indication of an increase in the rate of water depletion in the rooting zone of infected plants until approx. 63 d into the parasitic association. In fact, from 39 until 59 d.a.p. infected plants used less water than uninfected control plants, probably the result of the plants having fewer expanded leaves during part of this period, combined with the lower stomatal conductance exhibited by the infected plants from day 37 onwards. Leaf RWC of infected plants was unchanged in comparison with that of uninfected plants, therefore the change in stomatal conductance was not a response to dehydration of the leaf tissue. Our results indicate that parasitism by S. hermonthica does not cause an increase in water uptake/use in the host until well after most of the symptoms of infection have become fully established. It is highly unlikely, therefore, that the observed effects on the host are primarily due to soil water deficit.