Mitigating the Mistletoe Menace: Biotechnological and Smart Management Approaches

Mistletoes have been considered a keystone resource for biodiversity, as well as a remarkable source of medicinal attributes that attract pharmacologists. Due to their hemiparasitic nature, mistletoes leach water and nutrients, including primary and secondary metabolites, through the vascular system...

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Main Authors: Gaurav Mudgal, Jaspreet Kaur, Kartar Chand, Manisha Parashar, Sanjoy K. Dhar, Gajendra B. Singh, Mayank A. Gururani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-11-01
Series:Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/11/1645
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author Gaurav Mudgal
Jaspreet Kaur
Kartar Chand
Manisha Parashar
Sanjoy K. Dhar
Gajendra B. Singh
Mayank A. Gururani
author_facet Gaurav Mudgal
Jaspreet Kaur
Kartar Chand
Manisha Parashar
Sanjoy K. Dhar
Gajendra B. Singh
Mayank A. Gururani
author_sort Gaurav Mudgal
collection DOAJ
description Mistletoes have been considered a keystone resource for biodiversity, as well as a remarkable source of medicinal attributes that attract pharmacologists. Due to their hemiparasitic nature, mistletoes leach water and nutrients, including primary and secondary metabolites, through the vascular systems of their plant hosts, primarily trees. As a result of intense mistletoe infection, the hosts suffer various growth and physiological detriments, which often lead to tree mortality. Because of their easy dispersal and widespread tropism, mistletoes have become serious pests for commercial fruit and timber plantations. A variety of physical and chemical treatment methods, along with silvicultural practices, have shaped conventional mistletoe management. Others, however, have either failed to circumvent the growing range and tropism of these parasitic plants or present significant environmental and public health risks. A biocontrol approach that could sidestep these issues has never achieved full proof of concept in real-field applications. Our review discusses the downsides of conventional mistletoe control techniques and explores the possibilities of biotechnological approaches using biocontrol agents and transgenic technologies. It is possible that smart management options will pave the way for technologically advanced solutions to mitigate mistletoes that are yet to be exploited.
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spelling doaj.art-8e3fa44a506c4387a4862df7aaccaf3f2023-11-24T03:48:48ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372022-11-011111164510.3390/biology11111645Mitigating the Mistletoe Menace: Biotechnological and Smart Management ApproachesGaurav Mudgal0Jaspreet Kaur1Kartar Chand2Manisha Parashar3Sanjoy K. Dhar4Gajendra B. Singh5Mayank A. Gururani6University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, IndiaUniversity Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, IndiaUniversity Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, IndiaUniversity Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, IndiaUniversity Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, IndiaUniversity Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, IndiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab EmiratesMistletoes have been considered a keystone resource for biodiversity, as well as a remarkable source of medicinal attributes that attract pharmacologists. Due to their hemiparasitic nature, mistletoes leach water and nutrients, including primary and secondary metabolites, through the vascular systems of their plant hosts, primarily trees. As a result of intense mistletoe infection, the hosts suffer various growth and physiological detriments, which often lead to tree mortality. Because of their easy dispersal and widespread tropism, mistletoes have become serious pests for commercial fruit and timber plantations. A variety of physical and chemical treatment methods, along with silvicultural practices, have shaped conventional mistletoe management. Others, however, have either failed to circumvent the growing range and tropism of these parasitic plants or present significant environmental and public health risks. A biocontrol approach that could sidestep these issues has never achieved full proof of concept in real-field applications. Our review discusses the downsides of conventional mistletoe control techniques and explores the possibilities of biotechnological approaches using biocontrol agents and transgenic technologies. It is possible that smart management options will pave the way for technologically advanced solutions to mitigate mistletoes that are yet to be exploited.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/11/1645mistletoebiocontroltranscriptomeparasitic plantresistanceseed dispersal
spellingShingle Gaurav Mudgal
Jaspreet Kaur
Kartar Chand
Manisha Parashar
Sanjoy K. Dhar
Gajendra B. Singh
Mayank A. Gururani
Mitigating the Mistletoe Menace: Biotechnological and Smart Management Approaches
Biology
mistletoe
biocontrol
transcriptome
parasitic plant
resistance
seed dispersal
title Mitigating the Mistletoe Menace: Biotechnological and Smart Management Approaches
title_full Mitigating the Mistletoe Menace: Biotechnological and Smart Management Approaches
title_fullStr Mitigating the Mistletoe Menace: Biotechnological and Smart Management Approaches
title_full_unstemmed Mitigating the Mistletoe Menace: Biotechnological and Smart Management Approaches
title_short Mitigating the Mistletoe Menace: Biotechnological and Smart Management Approaches
title_sort mitigating the mistletoe menace biotechnological and smart management approaches
topic mistletoe
biocontrol
transcriptome
parasitic plant
resistance
seed dispersal
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/11/1645
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