P: ISSN No. 2231-0045 RNI No.  UPBIL/2012/55438 VOL.- XIII , ISSUE- I August  - 2024
E: ISSN No. 2349-9435 Periodic Research

Host Diversity of the Parasitic Genus Cuscuta sps in District Samba, J&K, India
Paper Id :  19331   Submission Date :  2024-08-14   Acceptance Date :  2024-08-22   Publication Date :  2024-08-25
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DOI:10.5281/zenodo.14046263
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Yash Paul Singh
Associate Professor
Department Of Botany
Govt. Degree College For Women
Udhampur,J and K, India
Geeta Devi
Teacher
Department Of Botany
Govt. High School, Sujwan
Samba, J And K, India
Abstract
During the survey conducted in 2023-2024 , 22 genera belong to 15 families have been recorded as a host plants of Cuscuta . viz. Murraya paniculata, Ficus carica,  Justicia adhatoda , Carrisa spinarium, Mallotus philippensis, Trifolium alexandrium, Xanthium strumarium , Ziziphus mauritiana, Vitex negundo , Mangifera indica , Cascabele thevetia, Vachellia nilotica , Ricinus  communis, Cassia fistula, Flacourtia indica, Acacia modesta, Cannabis sativa , Solanum Lycopersicum , Macrotyloma uniflorum,  Gossyphium sp , Duranta sp , and Artimesia sp .Some of host plants representing are herbs, shrubs and trees . It was also observed that plants viz. Murraya paniculata, Ficus carica,  Justicia adhatoda , Mallotus philippensis, Trifolium alexandrium, Ziziphus mauritiana, Vitex negundo , Cascabele thevetia , Vachellia nilotica , Ricinus  communis , Cassia fistula , Flacourtia indica  , Acacia modesta , Duranta sp , and Artimesia sp showed high growth  of Cuscuta followed by  Carrisa spinarium , Xanthium strumarium Cannabis sativa , Solanum Lycopersicum , Macrotyloma uniflorum,  Gossyphium sp .The present results clearly indicate that, dodder ranges in severity based on the species of host. In addition  , it was also found that some of the host species viz. Flacourtia indica , Trifolium alexandrium, Xanthium strumarium, Cascabele thevetia Cassia fistula , Solanum Lycopersicum,  Macrotyloma uniflorum , Artimesia and Duranta sp with Cuscuta infestation are not reported so far.
Keywords Cuscuta sps.,Parasitic , Host Plant, District , Samba, J&K.
Introduction
Plant of the genus Cuscuta  belong to family Cuscutaceae is an obligate angiospermic holoparasitic climber  on other plants, golden yellow, without root and leaves, also called  aftimoon, amarbel, akashbel, beggar weed, hell weed, devil's gut, strangle tare ,scald weed and dodder (Noureen, et. al.,2019). It grows during the rainy season on the same plant every year (Nadkarni,2010). It has no chlorophyll and cannot make its food by photosynthesis (Kirtikar and Basu, 1981, 1884; Shikha , 2013, Neetu,2014). It is commonly found in Ceylon, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan (Raza, et.,al.2015; Said, 1969;Nasir and Ali, 1972) . It winds around plants and penetrates the host stem through a specialized organ called the haustorium, forming a direct connections to the vascular bundles to obtain water and nutrients from their host plants (Yoshida et al., 2016; Kokla and Melnyk, 2018).
Objective of study

The purpose of this study was to monitor  the diversity of host plant with parasitic Cuscuta species in the Samba district, J&K. As this plant is known for major destructor of fruit plant, vegetable, ornamental and medicinal plant.
Review of Literature

Cuscuta plants stems is orange-yellow, yellow, or greenish-yellow because they only have a meagre amount of chlorophyll. Studies of various researchers on genomes of Cuscuta species indicate that species have lack of some genes needed for efficient photosynthetic activity (Bhellum and Mangotra, 1996; McNeal et al., 2007; Braukmann et al., 2013; Vogel et al., 2018), which can be considered evidence for transitioning from hemiparasites to holoparasites. Therefore, obtaining water and nutrients from their host is the top priority for their survival. Unlike root parasitic plants that mostly depend on haustorium-inducing factors  (Yoshida et al., 2016; ), the Cuscuta haustorium induction is also regulated by environmental signals such as light signals especially in Blue (Furuhashi, et al., 2011, Furuhashi et.al., 2021, Pan et al 2022; Yoo and Sinha, 2022). Apart from this, Cuscuta plants are under focus since they cause massive agricultural losses. Several species of Cuscuta are monitored in many countries’ as noxious weed (Holm, et al., 1997) because they parasitize a wide range of important vegetable and fruit crops, and ornamental plants (Lanini and Kogan, 2005). Cuscuta growth is researched that it can decrease host nutrient status and lead to reduced stand, canopy, biomass and fruit weight (Musselman, 1987; Lanini, and Kogan, 2005).

 It contains some healthy concerned chemicals like  phytochemicals like cuscutin, stigmasterol, kaempferol, dulcitol, myricetin, coumarin,campesterol, sitosterol etc  (Manish et.,al. 2012; Anis et.,al 2002, Ramezan et. al., 2023), tetrahydrofuran derivatives, and coumarin from stems (Uddin, et.,al.2007). Its extract also known to possesses anti-steroidogenic, antiviral, and anticonvulsant actions (Gupta, et.al., 2003). It is also reported as an antioxidant (Gupta and Sharma,2006), anti-inflammatory (Katiyar et.,al.2015), antimicrobial (Shikha, 2013, Pal,  2006, , Ara et al., 2020), antispasmodic, hemodynamic (Gilani and Aftab 1992), antihypertensive, muscle relaxant, and cardiotonic drug (Singh and Garg,1973). Some species of Cuscuta are used as a carminative, anthelmintic, and used to treat liver disorders and fever and cough in folk medicine (Said,1969). It is also used for itching (Evans, 1980). C. reflexa is orally used to treat rheumatism, sexual problems, and diabetes, while its topical formulation is used to treat toothache (Lee et.,al. , 2008; Mahmood et.,al, 2013 ). In the Unani system of medicine, it is considered as an anticancer or anti-tumor drug (Miyahara et., al. 1996).

The rural people of Chhattisgarh use its juice in jaundice by mixing it with milk (CGMFPFED,2015). Its paste is used in the treatment of Gout (CGMFPFED,2015).The juice of plant mixed with the juice of Saccharum officinarum is used in the treatment of jaundice (Kirtikar and  Basu ,1984).The stem is used in the treatment of body pain and itchy skin. Stem is also used in constipation, flatulence, liver complaints and bilious affections. Cuscuta reflexa is also applied as a hair growth promoter (Pandit et., al,2008; Chishti et. al., 2024) . Seeds are said to be tonic, diaphoretic and demulcent and are used to purify the blood. The cold infusion of seeds is given as a depurative and carminatives in pain and stomach ache (Chopra et.,al. 1956) 
Methodology
An extensive field survey was conducted in 2023-24 at district Samba , Jammu and kashmir. Samples of Cuscuta plants were collected in clean polythene bags from different plant and brought in the laboratory for further identification. Identifications were made with help of some expert, existing literature (Hooker 1872-1879; Cookies , 1958)  and research paper.
Result and Discussion
During the survey, conducted in 2023-2024   to locate the susceptible host plants of Cuscuta in the area of district  Samba, Jammu and Kashmir, India, it was observed that  22 genera belong to 15 families have been recorded as a host plants of Cuscuta (Table 1). viz. Murraya paniculata, Ficus carica,  Justicia adhatoda, Carrisa spinarium,Mallotus philippensis, Trifolium alexandrium, Xanthium strumarium, Ziziphus mauritiana, Vitex negundo, Mangifera indica, Cascabele thevetia, Vachellia nilotica, Ricinus  communis, Cassia fistula, Flacourtia indica , Acacia modesta, Cannabis sativa, Solanum Lycopersicum, Macrotyloma uniflorum,  Gossyphium sp, Duranta sp, and Artimesia sp. Some of host plants representing are herbs, shrubs and trees .Their life span may be annual, biennial or perennial . The present results clearly indicate that, dodder ranges in severity based on the species of host ( Kumar et.,al 2012). It was also observed that plants viz. Murraya paniculata, Ficus carica,  Justicia adhatoda, Mallotus philippensis, Trifolium alexandrium, Ziziphus mauritiana, Vitex negundo, Cascabele thevetia, Vachellia nilotica, Ricinus  communis, Cassia fistula, Flacourtia indica , Acacia modesta, Duranta sp, and Artimesia sp showed high growth  of Cuscuta followed by  Carrisa spinarium, Xanthium strumarium Cannabis sativa, Solanum Lycopersicum, Macrotyloma uniflorum,  Gossyphium sp . Similar observations were also made by some researcher on Cuscuta – host plants(Reddy, et al. 1990; Patel et al. 2004; Sarina, et. al. 2008; Kappor,V and Sharma, 2008; Mukhtar et.al.,2012; Nikam et al. 2014 ;Patel and Patel, 2010, Preeti et., al. 2017).  In addition to this, it was also found that some of the host species viz. Flacourtia indica, Trifolium alexandrium, Xanthium strumarium, Cascabele thevetia Cassia fistula, Solanum Lycopersicum,  Macrotyloma uniflorum, Artimesia and Duranta sp with Cuscuta infestation are not reported so far.

Conclusion

During the survey, conducted in 2023-2024   to locate the susceptible host plants of Cuscuta in the area of district  Samba, Jammu and Kashmir, India, it was observed that  22 genera belong to 15 families have been recorded as a host plants of Cuscuta. ).  In addition to this, it was also found that some of the host species viz. Flacourtia indica, Trifolium alexandrium, Xanthium strumarium, Cascabele thevetia Cassia fistula, Solanum Lycopersicum,  Macrotyloma uniflorum, Artimesia and Duranta sp with Cuscuta infestation are not reported so far.


Acknowledgement The authors would like to thank the Higher education department, Principal, GCW Udhampur for providing the necessary infrastructure and facilities. The authors are grateful to senior scientist and research worker for identification and support.
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