The influence of African mistletoe (tapinanthus bangwensis) on the conservation status of citrus sinensis in moor plantation area of Ibadan, Nigeria

An investigation was conducted into host-parasite interaction between the trees of Citrus sinensis and their parasitic associate, the African Mistletoe, Tapinanthus bangwensis on how much of the products of metabolic processes and structural components of the host are affected by the relationship. The rate of parasitism was observed to vary with differences in age and location and as well as by the peculiar nature of susceptible hosts. Susceptibility to infestation was aided by open vegetation, senescence and loss of vigour, large bole and fissured bark, including wide canopy base of host trees. Impact of the mistletoe infestation on its Citrus host in this study was negligible but unfettered growth of the parasite if allowed to continue could become a serious threat to the survival of the host trees in no too distant future.