A comprehensive review on Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh. (Loranthaceae)

Abstract

The plant species belong to the family Loranthaceae (mistletoe family) are hemi parasites. Dendrophthoe falcata is a large bushy evergreen stem hemiparasite. It can capture food from the host trees by means of penetrating roots called the haustoria. This epiphytic parasite found generally on various host plants in large amounts worldwide and causes much damage to economical cultivated plants and also grown on different host plants throughout India. As hemiparasite it is associated with tropical trees specifically the mango trees and rarely few timbers yielding trees. It has been reported to have increased its host range and found growing on varieties of trees. The species of Dendrophthoe falcata commonly known as Loranthus are common parasitic flowering plants occur all over India and cause severe damage to the field crops. However, comprehensive reports on the occurrence of this parasite, host range, effect on crop production, management practices are not available in the country. Under these circumstances the present study was undertaken to identify the species of Loranthus attacking a fruit yielding crop mango (Mangifera indica) cultivated in and around Vizianagram District, Andhra Pradesh to observe their parasitic relationship with their host plants.