Identification of developmentally-specific markers in germinating and haustorial stages of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. seedlings

The parasite’s devastating eVect is accomplished prior to Striga’s emergence from the soil. Striga seeds germinate Developmentally-specific markers have been identi- and develop its parasitic proboscis, the haustorium, in fied in the germinating and haustorial stages of Striga response to host root signals. The germination, haustorial hermonthica seedlings. Four water-soluble proteins, induction and attachment stages are critical interdiction preferentially expressed in germinated seedlings, were points in Striga’s life cycle. EVorts should be addressed microsequenced. An haustorial-specific cDNA clone to understanding these mechanisms in order to develop was isolated by differential screening. Tissue specifi- more eVective methods of intervention. In this work an city for this clone was assessed by Northern blot attempt is made to analyse the Striga genome with hybridization analysis. particular reference to gene expression in the very early stages of the parasite’s development (free living state=