[Is there any point to eradicate Phragmanthera capitata parasitizing African rubber trees?].
The effect of Phragmanthera capitata (Sprengel) Balle, an epiphytic Loranthaceae, on latex production of three clones of rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis (Müll. Arg.), was studied in the industrial plantation of Mitzic, in Gabon. The 22-year-old trees, presenting the largest trunk circumference, were the most parasitized and at the same time the best producers of latex. At first, this would suggest that mistletoe parasitism could have a favourable effect on latex yield. However, an accurate statistical analysis showed that, in fact, parasitism had no significant effect on latex yield. These data, discussed in relation to the biology of flowering parasitic plants, suggest that there is no urgency to eradicate Phragmanthera capitata for the moment.
Laboratoire de parasitologie végétale, université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, 4, place Jussieu, case courrier 155, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France. engonobiang@yahoo.fr
Nestor Laurier
NL
Engone Obiang
Georges
G
Sallé
D002980:Climate; D028482:Hevea / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000469:parasitology*; D028183:Loranthaceae / Q000633:toxicity*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012408:Rubber
D012408:Rubber