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This dissertation aims to advance knowledge of the distribution of parasitic plants of the genus Cuscuta in the Republic of Bulgaria, their host range, and genetic diversity through classical and molecular approaches. The influence of an abiotic stress factor, salinity, on all stages of parasitism, both on the parasite and its hosts, was investigated. A wide range of biochemical and molecular biological approaches were used. The impact of parasitism on soil microbial communities was assessed by metagenomic analysis. Among the biotic stressors, gall-forming epiparasitic insects of the genus Smicronyx, as well as herbivorous insects of the gnawing and sucking type, were investigated. The hypothesis that members of the genus Cuscuta are potential reservoirs and vectors of plant viruses was also tested. The obtained results have a significant contribution to the elucidation of fundamental scientific problems concerning plant-parasite interactions under suboptimal environmental parameters, which also have applied importance as a basis for predicting the effects of abiotic stress in the light of climate change on the distribution, agricultural and ecological impact of these widespread parasitic plants.
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