Using the possibilities of some trap, catch and Brassicaceaen crops for controlling crenate broomrape a problem in lentil fields

Abstract

Broomrapes are obligate root parasitic weeds and major constraint to many dicotyledon crops especially in Mediterranean agricultural lands. Due to the fact that no single control measure is able to control broomrapes in the field satisfactorily, integrated management is recommended in general. The use of of trap crops or catch crops is an important strategy for controlling the weeds; and allelopathic plants are also utilized for the control. Trap crops, also called false hosts, are plants which stimulate the germination of the parasite seed but cannot be infested and thus reduce the seed population in the soil. On the other hand, catch crops stimulate the germination of the parasite seeds at a high frequency and allow the development of the parasite. Seed bank of the broomrapes are decreased by destroying the catch crops before the seed creating period of broomrape begins (Sauerborn, 1991). Field trials were conducted using flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) as a trap plant; lentil (Lens culinaris L.) as a catch plant; members of the Brassicaceae species, such as cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.), Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera (DC.) Thell.), broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.), canola (Brassica napus L.) and turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa L.) as allelopathic plant in the Adana province (Turkey) in 2007-2009. Flax was the most effective treatment by decreasing 52% and 71% in shoot number and 55% and 26% in dry weight of O. crenata in the first and second year, respectively. Broccoli of the Brassicaceae family, was found to reduce the number of O. crenata shoots by 48% and 39% in two years. Regarding the effect of Brassicaceae family on O. crenata, broccoli was found to reduce the number of O. crenata shoots by 39%. It is concluded that growing flax as a trap plant or lentil as a catch crop two months before the sowing of lentil as a crop is can be a main element of integrated broomrape managament, which cause to reduce the soil seed bank of crenata broomrape.