Host-plant recognition by parasitic Scrophulariaceae

Parasitic plants in the Scrophulariaceae invade the roots of neighboring pl ants in order to rob them of water and nutrients. A distinctive feature of these parasites is their ability to cue their development to small molecule s released by host-plant roots. Evidence is continuing to emerge that paras ite perception of host factors occurs via a redox-associated mechanism. Gen es predicted to function during the early stages of parasite-host interacti ons have been cloned from both plant partners, and their characterization i s providing a genetic framework on which to model subterranean plant-plant interactions.