TRANSPIRATION AND DRY-MATTER ALLOCATION IN THE ANGIOSPERM ROOT PARASITE CYNOMORIUM-COCCINEUM L AND 2 OF ITS HALOPHYTIC HOSTS

The angiosperm root parasite Cynomorium coccineum and the halophytic h osts Limonium delicatulum and Arthrocnemum glaucum were investigated u nder natural conditions in a Mediterranean salt marsh in March 1992. T he diurnal transpiration rate of the parasite was low and parallel to the climatic factors. The non-infected plants showed higher transpirat ion rates than the parasite and its hosts. Compared to the non-infecte d plants, it is apparent that the perennial herb L. delicatulum is mor e sensitive to infection since its reduction in the fresh and dry mass was higher than that found in A. glaucum.