Integrative control of branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa l. )‎ using soil solarization and some chemical substances improves the growth and yield of tomato plants

Abstract EN

Tomato cultivation in the Mediterranean region is susceptible to infestation by the parasitic weed branched broomrape (Orobanche ramose L.

), and can lead to severe yield losses.

Efficiency of individual soil solarization, soil disinfection technique that uses passive solar heating, or in integration with Gesaprim or H3PO4 to control O.

ramosa and thus increase the growth and yield of tomatoes (Lojain 935 and GS-12 hybrids) under the conditions of fields experiments was studied over two growing summer seasons of 2018 and 2019.

The survey of the distribution of O.

ramosa in the provinces of Fayoum Governorate, which was implemented in 2016, showed that Ibshawai, Yusuf AlSeddiq and Itsa provinces had the highest percentages of incidence and attack severity, while Tamyia and Fayoum provinces showed the lowest percentages.

The highest infestations were detected in winter season, while fall season showed the lowest infestations.

In the field experiments, soil solarization was the best single treatment compared to organic manures, H3PO4, NPK fertilizer, and Gesaprim in controlling O.

ramosa and increasing the growth and yield parameters of tomato hybrids.

Additionally, soil solarization integrated with Gesaprim or H3PO4 was the best integrative application for Lojain 935 hybrid followed by the same integrative application for GS-12 hybrid.

This best integrative application conferred the percent minimal incidence and attack severity of O.

ramosa and the highest growth parameters (fresh and dry weights of shoots) and yield components (fruits No.

plant-1, and fruits yield plant-1 ) of both tomato hybrids with superiority of Lojain 935.

Therefore, the results of this study recommend the use of this best integrative application [soil solarization integrated with Gesaprim or H3PO4] as an appropriate technique for tomato production where the risk of branched broomrape infestation is high.