Living things are interdependent on one another for survival. The balance of life is hinged on one species depending on another. This balance can be disrupted when one species has its population decrease, or else totally gone extinct. For survival, some parasite plants take genes from its hosts and use it against its own host.
A family of parasitic plants known as broomrapes take DNA from its hosts. This process is known as HGT, or horizontal gene transfer. The genes taken by the broomrape then becomes its own functional gene, which it then uses on its own host.
This action has been observed by Claude dePamphilis, a Professor of Biology from Penn State, according to Science Daily. The broomrape family of parasitic plants include some of the most dangerous plant pests in agriculture, as he has stated. The study of these plants could help in making much stronger host plants that can survive the attack of parasite plants.
Horizontal gene transfer is an asexual type of DNA transfer. This is usually found in lower forms of organisms, such as bacteria. It is rare that higher forms use this type of DNA transfer. For higher forms of life, DNA is exchanged through sexual means. Mutation and natural selection aid in this process, as ZME Science notes.
Parasite plants do this type of transfer through its roots, getting nutrients and even nucleic acid from the host plant. The genes taken from the host plant is then used by the parasite plant, and soon it turns the genes against the host plant itself. It has been observed that parasite plants act that way since it is in closer contact with its host.
Further research is being done in investigating these parasite plants. Researchers are trying to know how HGT works in them so as to combat the parasites. Many agricultural areas are being affected by these plants, such as in Sub-Sahara Africa where large crop losses are reported due to these plants.
Parasite plants that researchers have focused on include the yellowbeak owl's clover, the giant witchweed and the Egyptian broomrape. These parasite plants get genes from their hosts, making them a danger to agricultural areas. Researchers meanwhile are also looking into plant species that are tolerant to drought as the planet faces climate change.
