Biology and management of the fast‐emerging threat of broomrape in rapeseed–mustard

Abstract

Broomrapes (Phelipanche and Orobanche spp.) are obligate root parasites of the family Orobanchaceae. The natural variation in Orobanchaceae exists in plants involving Triphysaria versicolor (facultative hemiparasite), Striga hermonthica (obligate hemiparasite) and Phelipanche aegyptiaca, formerly Orobanche aegyptiaca (holoparasite). The family Orobanchaceae has 90 genera. The four major parasitic species of broomrape are Phelipanche ramosa in the Brassicas, especially in rapeseed, Phelipanche cernua in tobacco and sunflower, P. aegyptiaca in solanacious crops and in Brassica juncea and Phelipanche crenata in leguminous crops. They are prevalent, infesting nearly 1.2% of the world's arable land. In India, P. ramosa and P. aegyptiaca cause severe infestations of Brassica and have threatened its cultivation in major growing areas. In addition, a single broomrape plant can release >100 000 seeds that remain viable for decades in the soil. This provides the parasite with a great genetic adaptability to environmental changes, including host resistance, agronomical practices and herbicide treatments. Different control measures, such as manual weeding, herbicide applications, solarization, crop rotation and integrated broomrape management practices, have been proposed in order to reduce the broomrape menace and improve yields in farmers' fields. Breeding for broomrape resistance also could be an economic, feasible and environmental friendly control method. The present article reviews the current status of research on broomrape in India and abroad, as well as suggests strategies for its effective management.

Untitled

“…Its directed application in wider-row sown crops is more useful; Low dose of herbicides: Selective control of Orobanche can be achieved by applying some herbicides carefully at low rates. In mustard, 200 kg ha −1 neem cake + 0.5 kg ha −1 pendimethalin as pre-emergence, the use of neem or castor cake (400 kg ha −1 in furrows at sowing) + the direct application of glyphosate (50 g ha −1 ) + 1% ammonium sulfate at 60 DAS appeared to be good for lowering the emergence of Orobanche, besides providing higher yields (Rathore et al 2014). Application of 200 kg ha −1 neem cake and 2 kg ha −1 copper sulphate at sowing as separate treatments showed 34% and 41% reduction in Orobanche density in mustard in…”

“…Similarly, metham (Vapum®) at 2000 l/ha (product) with narrow spacing of drippers is quite effective against Orobanche (Egyptian broomrape). Methyl bromide has been recognized as an effective soil fumigant (Braga et al 2001) and is used to control localized populations of Phelipanche ramosa before planting tomato (Rathore et al 2014). Also Kleifeld (2005) observed the effectiveness of methyl bromide applications for broomrape control; but the use of methyl bromide has been banned by World Health Organisation (WHO) and agricultural authorities due to its negative environmental effects (Punia, 2014).…”

“…Orobanche species have strong adaptation mechanisms to co-exist with their hosts in the same environment, resulting in strong parasitism. Majority of crop plants lack internal resistance to Orobanche that adds to the problem and makes a vast number of crops susceptible (Rathore et al 2014). Depending upon the extent of infestation, environmental conditions, soil fertility, and crops' competitiveness, the damage caused by Orobanche can range from 0 to 100% (Dhanapal et al 1996).…”

The structure–activity relationship of aryloxyacetylthioureas for the inhibition of <i>Orobanche minor</i> radicle elongation

“…1) For example, significant damage to major oil crops, such as rapeseed and sunflower, is caused by the broomrapes. 2) Numerous studies and practices have been conducted to solve root parasitic weed problems.…”

Identification of seeds ofPhelipanche ramosa,Phelipanche muteliiandOrobanche cumanain the soils from different agricultural regions in Bulgaria by molecular markers

“…Obligate root parasitic plants of the family Orobanchaceae (broomrapes) have lost upon their evolution the ability to perform photosynthesis and now survive by parasitizing the roots of other flowering plants [1,2]. A number of broomrape species parasitize on important crop plants causing serious yield losses [2][3][4][5][6].…”