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Functional Plant Biology Functional Plant Biology Society
Plant function and evolutionary biology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Photosynthesis, ionomics and metabolomics of the host–hemiparasite association Acacia gerrardiiViscum schimperi

Zouhaier Barhoumi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1737-7571 A B *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Biology Department, King Khalid University, P.O. Box-9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia.

B Laboratory of Extremophile Plants, Biotechnology Center of Borj Cedria, University Tunis El Manar, B.P. 901, Hammam-Lif, Tunis, Tunisia.

* Correspondence to: barhoumi_zou2000@yahoo.fr

Handling Editor: Thomas Roberts

Functional Plant Biology 51, FP23206 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP23206
Submitted: 26 May 2023  Accepted: 16 November 2023  Published: 1 December 2023

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Viscum schimperi is an evergreen hemiparasitic plant that can grow on stems and branches of several tree species. It penetrates the host tissues and forms a vascular bridge (haustorium) to withdraw the nutritive resources. Its relationships with hosts remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the physiological and biochemical attributes of the host–hemiparasite association Acacia gerrardiiViscum schimperi. The hemiparasite exhibited 2.4- and 3.0-fold lower photosynthetic activity and water use efficiency, and 1.2- and 4.1-fold higher transpiration rate and stomatal conductance. Equally, it displayed 4.9- and 2.6-fold greater water potential and osmotic potential, and in least 3.0 times more accumulated 39K, 85Rb and 51V, compared to the host. Nevertheless, it had no detrimental effect on photosynthetic activity, water status and multi-element accumulations in the host. Based on metabolome profiling, V. schimperi could use xanthurenic acid and propylparaben to acquire potassium from the host, and N-1-naphthylacetamide and N-Boc-hydroxylamine to weaken or kill the distal part of the infected branch and to receive the total xylem contents. In contrast, A. gerrardii could used N-acetylserotonin, arecoline, acetophenone and 6-methoxymellein to defend against V. schimperi infection.

Keywords: Acacia gerrardii, multi-elements, osmotic potential, parasitism, photosynthesis, untargeted metabolites, Viscum schimperi, water potential.

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