Transpiration and dry matter allocation in the angiosperm root parasite Cynomorium coccineum L. and two of its halophytic hosts

Abstract

The angiosperm root parasite Cynomorium coccineum and the halophytic hosts Limonium delicatulum and Arthrocnemum glaucum were invesrigated under natural conditions in a Mediterranean salt marsh in March 1992. The diurnal transpiration rate of the parasite was low and parallel to the climatic factors. The non-infected plants showed higher transpiration rates than the parasite and its hosts. Compared to the non-infected plants, it is apparent that the perennial herb L. delicatulum is more sensitive to infection since its reduction in the fresh and dry mass was higher than that found in A. glaucum. © 1993 Institute of Experimental Botany.