Role of Pepper (Capsicum annuum) as a Trap and Catch Crop for Control of Orobanche aegyptiaca and O. cernua

Abstract

The response of pepper varieties to Egyptian broomrape and nodding broomrape was characterized in comparison with tomatoes grown in pots and in aqueous solution, according to two criteria: 1. germination of the parasite's seeds in the presence of the host roots; and 2. the number of parasites per host plant. More than 50% of Egyptian broomrape seeds germinated in the presence of all pepper variety roots except the sweet pepper Maor. However, only a few attached and developed. The two paprika varieties Lehava and Shani were hosts to more parasites than the sweet pepper varieties, and showed as many as 15 parasites per host plant. In contrast, tomato roots induced less then 10% seed germination but were highly susceptible to the parasite (30 parasites per host plant). Damage caused to pepper foliage and fruit was not significant, compared to the heavy damage caused to tomato. Pepper roots stimulated germination of 22 to 26% of nodding broomrape seeds but without the formation of parasitic attachments, whereas tomato roots stimulated germination of less than 10% of the seeds but the plants were then heavily damaged by the parasite. Interplanting of tomato with pepper in nutrient solution did not change the amount of Egyptian broomrape parasites on pepper, hut a fourfold increase in the number of nodding broomrape was observed on tomato roots, compared to the number of parasites on tomato roots when planted without pepper.