Parasitic Angiosperms, Semagenesis, and General Strategies for Plant-Plant Signaling in the Rhizosphere

The study explored the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the host attachment process of parasitic angiosperms, specifically through a mechanism called semagenesis. In Striga asiatica, ROS and host peroxidases oxidize monolignols at the host root surface, leading to the accumulation of para-benzoquinone products that induce the development of the haustorium, the attachment organ. The research found that semagenesis is a widespread plant-plant signaling mechanism affecting root development in both eudicots and monocots. The study also identified inhibitors of haustorial development that similarly inhibit benzoquinone-mediated root development in non-parasitic plants, suggesting a common mechanism for benzoquinone perception. These findings enhance the understanding of underground plant communication and suggest new strategies for managing parasitic angiosperms in agriculture.