Does nitrogen affect the interaction between a native hemiparasite and its native or introduced leguminous hosts?

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.14181
• Publication Date: 2016-09-22T15:17:36Z
• Authors: Robert M. Cirocco; José M. Facelli; Jennifer R. Watling
• Keywords: Ulex europaeus

Associations between plants and nitrogen (N)-fixing rhizobia intensify with decreasing N supply come at a carbon cost to the host. However, what additional impact parasitic have on their leguminous hosts' budget in terms of effects host physiology growth is unknown. Under glasshouse conditions, Ulex europaeus Acacia paradoxa either uninfected or infected hemiparasite Cassytha pubescens were supplied (high (HN)) not (low (LN)) extra N. The photosynthetic performance association measured. significantly reduced maximum electron transport rates total biomass U. but those A. paradoxa, regardless Infection decreased root only LN, while significant negative effect infection roots was less severe LN. had nodule biomass. supported greater parasite (also per unit biomass) than We concluded that do influence native overall hosts. Our results suggest C. will strong field.