ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Plant Sci.
Sec. Plant Symbiotic Interactions
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1589651
This article is part of the Research TopicGenetics and Genomics of Emerging and Multifactorial Stresses Affecting Plant Survival and Associated Plant MicrobiomesView all 17 articles
Unveiling the mechanisms driving the rapid growth of Malania oleifera seedlings, a high-value root hemiparasitic plant
Provisionally accepted
- 1Yunnan Academy of Forestry and Grassland, Kunming, China
- 2Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
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Certain root hemi-parasitic tree species hold significant economic value, yet they are challenging to cultivate artificially. Therefore, understanding how soil conditions and host plants influence the growth of these species is crucial. The endemic tree species Malania oleifera, native to the karst landscapes of southwest China, is highly valued for its seed oil, rich in nervonic acid. As a root hemiparasite, M. oleifera presents challenges for artificial cultivation, making it crucial to improve seedling survival and develop effective propagation methods for this and similar species. We used nutrient-rich and nutrient-deficient growth substrates, combined with four planting configurations involving host and non-host plants, to monitor the growth of M. oleifera seedlings. We then analyzed the transcriptomic differences between nonparasitic and parasitic plants that exhibited significant growth disparities. Vigorous host plants significantly enhance the growth of M. oleifera seedlings, while soil conditions exert a weaker influence. The host primarily promotes aboveground M. oleifera growth, with only limited impact on root development, resulting in an imbalance between the two. Endogenous hormone levels in the haustoria connected to the host exhibit substantial changes, with notable upregulation of genes related to hormone metabolism, stress responses, and antibiotic biosynthesis. Furthermore, the roots of host-associated M. oleifera seedlings show heightened responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses, along with key metabolic processes. An appropriate host enhances the overall adaptability, nutrient synthesis, and stress resistance of M. oleifera seedlings, all of which are essential for their growth, development, and survival.
Keywords: haustorium, host plant, biomass, phytohormone, transcriptome analysis, Soil conditions
Received: 07 Mar 2025; Accepted: 23 Jun 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Wang, Zhang, Yang, Chen and Shi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Si-Hai Wang, Yunnan Academy of Forestry and Grassland, Kunming, China
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