Parasitic Plant's Cunning Strategy: Convincing Hosts to Grow into Its Flesh
Balanophora, an extreme parasitic plant, has shed one third of its genes as it evolved into a streamlined organism that steals nutrients from its host plant. A study comparing the genomes of Balanophora and another parasitic plant, Sapria, revealed record shrinkages of 28% and 38% respectively. Both plants have lost genes associated with photosynthesis and other key biological processes, while retaining essential genes. Surprisingly, genes related to the synthesis of the plant hormone abscisic acid were lost in parallel in both plants, but the hormone still accumulated in Balanophora's flowering stems. The research provides insights into the genetic mechanisms behind the dependency of parasitic plants on their hosts and their manipulation of host plants to survive.