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Chemistry of rhizosphere interactions between the legume Desmodium uncinatum and the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica

ReferenceBRE13671
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Professor John Pickett
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution Rothamsted Research
DepartmentBiological Chemistry & Crop Protection
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 118,876
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 04/06/2001
End date 03/09/2004
Duration39 months

Abstract

Intercropping with the legume Desmodium uncinatum almost completely protects maize crops grown in East Africa from the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica. We have shown this effect is not physically but allelochemically mediated within the rhizosphere of D. uncinatum. The project is to elucidate the chemistry of these rhizosphere interactions by isolating the bio-active compounds, determining their molecular structures and chemically synthesising them for structure confirmation and to examine their role in the rhizosphere ecology of the host-parasite interaction. Studies will also be made to understand the biochemical release of the active compounds into the rhizosphere, to facilitate future exploitation by plant molecular genetics.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative Biological Interactions in the Root Environment (BRE) [2000]
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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