Managementof orobanche in field crops: A review

Abstract

Broomrapes (Orobanche sp.) are a root holoparasitic plant devoid of chlorophyll and entirely depending on the host for nutritional requirements. They cause considerable yield losses (5-100 %) in the crops, especially in the drier and warmer areas of Europe, Africa and Asia where it is reported to mainly parasitize species of leguminous, oilseeds, solanaceous, cruciferous and medicinal plants. It is a serious root parasite threatening the livelihood of the farmers with its devastating effect on the some of aforementioned crops. The long-term impact of the broomrapes is even more serious: their seeds may easily spread to other fields, and can persist in soil up to 20 years, leading to an accelerated increase in the infested areas in which susceptible crops are under danger. Orobanche seed dispersal is facilitated by man, agricultural tools, crop seeds, propagules and also by animals through their excreta. This review will discuss and summarize alternative methods viz preventive, physical, chemical, agronomic, biological, crop resistance and integrated methods which are needed to manage this parasite. However, the main concern is that, up to date, no single cheap method of control proved to be effective, economical and complete in protection against this parasite. For that reason, an integrated approach is needed in which a variety of such techniques are combined, in order to maintain parasite populations below threshold levels of damage.