Mitigating the Mistletoe Menace: Biotechnological and Smart Management Approaches

Simple Summary In this article, we discuss the current status of conventional management and control approaches for mistletoes, the hemiparasitic plants that have emerged as serious pests of trees in forests and commercial fruit and timber plantations. We highlight the research and implementation gaps and discuss possible newer biotechnological interventions to be made in relation to biological control agents and mistletoe-resistant tree cultivars. We also discuss the potential of smart technological alternatives that find synergies with conventional 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 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.

Automated summary

This article discusses the current status and problems of mistletoe management and proposes potential biotechnological and smart technological solutions. Traditional physical and chemical methods are not completely effective in addressing the damage caused by mistletoes to trees. Biocontrol agents and transgenic technologies may provide new approaches to tackle this issue.