Project information
Multi-disciplinary approach in strigolactone research to battle crop infestation by parasitic Striga sp (BattleStriga)

Strigolactones are the most recent addition to the family of plant growth regulators. Unlike other plant hormones, strigolactones possess significant environmental impact in addition to their established plant developmental roles. The exuded strigolactone from the host plant roots is used by symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for their hyphae growth and branching in order to facilitate efficient symbiotic interaction. But as a down side effect of it, parasitic plants of genera Striga, Orobanche and Phelipanche are also sensing these exuded strigolactones as their seed germination stimulant. These parasitic plants causes significantly high level of crop loss especially in Africa and Asia.