Studies on Striga Senegalensis Iii. In Vitro Culture of Seedlings. Establishment of Cultures

Striga senegalensis seeds were cultured on Knop's and modified Murashige‐Skoog's medium. An aqueous root exudate/extract of the host ( Sorghum vulgare ) was found essential for the germination of seeds in vitro. The seedlings grew better on a medium containing sucrose than on mineral salts alone. Only limited growth was achieved on Knop's medium. Better growth was supported by Murashige‐Skoog's medium. By transfer to larger culture vessels seedlings were kept in the latter for several months. The seedlings developed chlorophyllous shoots in light and flowered after 4–4½ months. The successful culture of these seedlings in a simple medium of only mineral salts and sugar indicates that the parasitic seedling depends on the host for only water, mineral salts and sugar and not for more elaborate substances.