Question

Do plants have any type of mechanism that would allow for them to defend themselves against parasitic plants?

Answer 1

Do plants have any type of mechanism that would allow for them to defend themselves against parasitic plants?

Parasitic plants are the plants that gather all of their nutrients from the living plants. The host plants have Defense mechanisms against the parasitic plants.

• It is difficult for the parasitic plants to penetrate the Defenses of the host. The host will be having mechanism such that the cell wall of the plant is reinforced by cross linking of the proteins. This would stop the progress of the parasite to enter into the host’s roof cortex.
• Also, the plants secrete inhibitors of germination. This would not allow the germination of the parasite’s seed.
• The host can also create an environment which is toxic at the time of attachment of the parasite. This is achieved by secretion of phenolic compounds in the apoplast, which is pathogenic for host cell attachment.
• Also, the host is capable of ruining the tubercle by the use of gels or injection of toxins.