Parasitic Weed Seems to Smell Its Prey
September 29th, 2006
This undated photo provided by the journal Science shows a seedling of the parasitic plant Cuscuta pentagona attaches to a tomato plant. The parasitic dodder plant seems to be able to sniff out its victims, coiling around crops and making itself a pest to many farmers. It's a finding researchers say may point to ways to head off this damaging weed. (AP Photo/Courtesy of De Moraes and Mescher Labs, Science, Justin Runyon )
(AP) -- The parasitic dodder plant doesn't have a nose, but it knows how to sniff out its prey. The dodder attacks such plants as tomatoes, carrots, onions, citrus trees, cranberries, alfalfa and even flowers, and is a problem for farmers because chemicals that kill the pesky weed also damage the crops it feeds on.
Content from The Associated Press expires 15 days after original publication date. For more information about The Associated Press, please visit www.ap.org .
Similar stories from PHYSorg:
Plant Parasite 'Wiretaps' Host
Jul 30, 2008 |
4.7 / 5 (3) |
0
Farmers relying on roundup lose some of its benefit
Apr 14, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
Researchers test biological ways to control alfalfa pest
May 01, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
Early planting lets farmers be both mean and green, study shows
Oct 10, 2008 |
4.5 / 5 (2) |
0
Brown root rot -- a potentially serious forage crop disease -- is found throughout the Northeast
Nov 12, 2007 |
4 / 5 (1) |
1
-
zahrabiology - Feb 02, 2009
- Rank: not rated yet
hello- flag
