ABSTRACT

Mistletoes are hemiparasitic plants found on many tree crops of economic importance, and are generally divided into two major families – the Loranthaceae and Viscaceae. The Loranthaceae constitute the largest group with about 950 species divided into 77 genera, and are distributed widely throughout Europe, the America, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Few studies  have been conducted on Mistletoes in the past, South-Eastern Nigeria is still lacking in the literature of studies on Mistletoes, and it is not well known how Mistletoes affect the forest ecosystems within this region. This study therefore explored the Phenology, Host Range and Patterns of Infestation of Mistletoes in South-Eastern Nigeria. The study determined host range, phenology as well as severity level of Mistletoe infection on host tree species.  Four species of mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus, Tapinanthus bangwensis, Phragmanthera capitata and Viscum triflorum were found across the sites with L.             micranthus being the most frequently occurring and most abundant species. Host infestation ranged from 13.33% - 66.66%. The Phenology of two of the parasites was studied from flower formation through to fruiting. A disease severity index was developed and used to evaluate the severity of infection of hosts across the sites.

Results of this study revealed that Mistletoes could parasitize a variety of tree species with few of them having host-specificity. Flowering of Mistletoes occur in both rainy and dry seasons with peaks around May.

The severity indices recorded were 19.8%, 9.6% and 9.2% for Abia State, Imo State and Ebonyi State respectively, indicating most severity levels in Abia State. Majority of the infections were recent thus supporting the observation that infection rates across the study area are progressive.

Further studies that will enable a better understanding of the ecology, biology and damages caused on the host by these parasitic plants in order to reduce the severity of infestation on forest ecosystems in South-Eastern Nigeria are recommended.