PHOTOSYNTHETIC AND ACCESSORY PIGMENTS IN CUSCUTA-CAMPESTRIS-YUNCKER AND SOME HOST SPECIES

Photosynthetic and accessory pigments (chlorophyll a and b, alpha and beta carotenes and xanthophylls) were evaluated in Cuscuta campestris Yuncker during the course of its biological cycle, taking into account both autotrophic and heterotrophic phases, and different parts of the parasite. Chloroplast activity in C campestris was measured and comparisons were made with the chloroplast activity in Beta vulgaris L. and Convolvulus arvensis L. The effects of parasitization of C campestris on the main and accessory photosynthetic pigments of B. vulgaris were also evaluated. Finally, a hypothesis was formulated to explain the different distribution of pigments in different parts and at different stages of the growth cycle in C campestris and its chloroplast activity.