Abstract
ABSTRACT The effect of natural oils on broomrape (Orobanche cernua Loefl.) was assessed in a naturally infested tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) field at the Agricultural Research Station, Nipani, India, during 1994–95. Natural oils which are available at low cost and biodegradable differed in their ability to kill the young broom-rape spikes. Neem (Azadirachta indica Juss.), coconut (Cocas nucifera L.), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) oils showed knock-down effects on the bud part of the parasite within 2–3 days, castor (Ricinus communis L.) and niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L. fil.) Cass.) oils killed the buds within 3–4 days. Mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czernjaew) oil took 5 days to kill the bud. Coconut and sunflower oils also killed the broomrape stem more quickly than niger and castor oils. Neem oil and mustard oil did not kill the stem part of the parasite. These findings give new information on relative efficiency of different plant oils in controlling broomrape. None of the oils was phytotoxic to tobacco. After optimization of application techniques the use of such oils in practice will be cheap, environmentally safe and effective.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
