Prevalence of mistletoes in fruit and timber trees in the wet and intermediate zone of Sri Lanka

Abstract

A survey was conducted to identify the parasitic plant species occurring in timber and fruit trees during November 2015 to April 2017, in 15 Districts of Wet and Intermediate Zones of Sri Lanka using two stage stratified random sampling scheme. The parasitic plants on fruit and timber trees were identified by comparing them with the specimen in National Herbarium, Peradeniya. Host plant species were taxonomically identified after consultation of botanical experts and using species identification keys. Correlation between parameters were made using SAS software. Mistletoes infested in varying degrees in 27 perennial fruit and 20 timber tree species in different cropping systems. Dendrophthoe falcata, D. neilgherrensis, Scurrulla cordifolia, Viscum articulatum, Taxillus incanus, and V. orientale were the mistletoes species infested in fruit trees; whereas, D. falcata, D. neilgherrensis, S. cordifolia, S. parasitica, V. articulatum and V. orientale were found in timber species. D. falcata was the most predominent parasitic plant in both fruit and timber trees. Mangifera indica and Albizia odoratissima were the most susceptible host fruit and timber species, respectively. The study indicated that further studies are required on the increased occurrence of parasitic plants, their effects on host plants and development of control measures.

Keywords

• parasitic plants, mistletoes, host plants, timber, fruit trees