This study explored the effects of different host plants on the growth and drought resistance of the hemiparasite Malania oleifera, aiming to screen the suitable host plants of M. oleifera during the seedling stage. A pot co-culture experiment was conducted with Eupatorium capillifolium, Cajanus cajan, Liquidambar formosana, Alnus nepalensis, Camphora officinarum, Quercus acutissima, Crotalaria pallida, Pistacia weinmanniifolia, and Illicium verum as host plants. The growth indicators, nutrient content, and physiological characteristics of M. oleifera under drought stress were evaluated. The results showed that the host plants improved the growth and survival rate (P < 0.05), increased the biomass and nutrient accumulation, and enhanced the drought resistance of M. oleifer. Different host plants exerted varied effects on M. oleifera (P < 0.05), with E. capillifolium, C. cajan, and L. formosana showing the most significant promoting effects on the seedling height, ground diameter, survival rate, and biomass accumulation. L. formosana, A. nepalensis, C. cajan, E. capillifolium, and C. officinarum had the most significant promoting effects on nutrient accumulation. Moreover, host plants exerted different effects on the accumulation of different nutrients. A. nepalensis, C. cajan, and E. capillifolium effectively promoted the accumulation of N and K, while L. formosana effectively promoted the accumulation of P. Under drought stress, C. cajan, L. formosana, A. nepalensis, and E. capillifolium promoted the accumulation of protective enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in M. oleifera to protect the cell membrane from damage. L. formosana, C. cajan, and E. capillifolium promoted the accumulation of proline, soluble sugar, and soluble protein for osmotic regulation and effectively reduced the content of malondialdehyde, thereby reducing the cell membrane damage caused by drought stress and enhancing the drought resistance. After rewatering, the physiological indicators of M. oleifera basically recovered to the levels before drought treatment. The comprehensive evaluation results suggest that L. formosana, C. cajan, and E. capillifolium are the most suitable hosts for the growth of M. oleifera, and A. nepalensis, C. officinarum, Q. acutissima, and C. pallida can also be used as suitable hosts for M. oleifera.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |