[Morphology of seed germination and parasitism in Cistanche tubulosa].
OBJECTIVE
To understand the process of Cistanche tubulosa.


METHODS
The process of seed germination and parasitism was observed using stereomicroscope.


RESULTS
Seedling of C. tubulosa sprouted after forty day without host root's contact in fields, a tube-like-organ formed and grew auger-type from host root, the tuber apex where touches host root swelled and formed haustorium. Haustorium intruded host root epidermis and vascular bundles, and released brown substances. Then, embryo bud with six or more young leaves formed, finally the swelled tuber-like-organ broken and seed coat shed. Due to the parasitism of C. tubulosa, the host root near stem site swelled, but the other part, shrunk and disappered gradually.


CONCLUSIONS
Seed of C. tubulosa could germinate indepently in fields. Tuber-like-organ formatin, haustorium formation and bud formation are key steps of C. tubulosa seedling development.
Chinese Medicinal Herbs Research Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing.
Hua-lei
HL
Wang
Tai-xin
TX
Yang
Chong-jun
CJ
Yang
Zhi-xi
ZX
Zhai
Yu-hai
YH
Guo
D031671:Cistanche / Q000254:growth & development*; D018525:Germination; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000254:growth & development*; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development; D013559:Symbiosis; D032363:Tamaricaceae / Q000254:growth & development