Which of the following is a partial root parasite ?

Options

A. Sandal wood
B. Mistletoe
C. Orobanche
D. Ganoderma

Explanation

To determine which of the following is a partial root parasite, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Concept of Parasitism**:
- Parasitism is a relationship between two species where one benefits (the parasite) and the other is harmed (the host).

2. **Differentiate Between Types of Parasites**:
- There are two main types of parasites:
- **Holoparasites (Complete Parasites)**: These are fully dependent on their host for all their nutritional needs and cannot survive without them.
- **Hemiparasites (Partial Parasites)**: These can photosynthesize and are not completely dependent on their host for nutrients, although they do derive some benefits from them.

3. **Analyze the Given Options**:
- We need to evaluate the options to identify which one is a partial root parasite.
- **Sandalwood (Santalum)**: Known to be a hemiparasite that attaches to the roots of other plants but can also photosynthesize.
- **Mistletoe**: A hemiparasite, but it attaches to the stems of its host, not the roots.
- **Orobanchaceae (Orobant)**: A holoparasite that is completely dependent on its host and attaches to the roots.
- **Ganoderma**: A fungus that grows on wood and is not classified as a root parasite.

4. **Identify the Correct Answer**:
- Among the given options, **Sandalwood** is the only plant that acts as a partial root parasite, as it can photosynthesize and is not fully reliant on its host.

### Conclusion:
- The correct answer is **Sandalwood** (Santalum), as it is a partial root parasite.

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