Sun Zhongkui: "Biosynthesis of germination stimulants of parasitic weeds Striga and Orobanche"

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26 Feb 2008 16:00
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Co Promotor: Prof.dr.ir. H.J. Bouwmeester (Promotor), Prof.dr. T. Bisseling (Promotor)

 The research of Zhongkui Sun focussed on the elucidation of the biosynthesis of the strigolactones, germination stimulants of the seeds of the root parasitic plants Striga spp. and Orobanche spp. These parasitic weeds parasitise cereals and other economically important crops in many regions of the world and can cause large yield losses. To develop new control methods the germination stimulants may be suitable targets. Sun Zhongkui studied the germination stimulants of maize and the model plants Arabidopsis and rice. Genes from maize were cloned and characterised and transgenic plants created that induced less germination of Striga. Arabidopsis was shown to produce strigolactones but also germination inducing compounds from other compound classes. The rice germination stimulants seem to consist only of strigolactones and the treatment of rice with an inhibitor of strigolactone biosynthesis greatly reduced Striga infection, making this an interesting option to develop into a control method. Also, some other results from the work of Zhongkui Sun, such as the inhibitory effect of mycorrhizal fungi on the germination of Striga, can potentially be developed into new control methods.
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