Broomrape management strategies in tobacco – A review Krishna S. Kasturi, Reddy S.V. Krishna, Naidu V.S.G.R., Kumar T. Kiran* ICAR-Central Tobacco Research Institute, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh533105, India *Corresponding author email: kiranagro1@gmail.com
Online Published on 28 October, 2024. Abstract Broomrape (Orobanche spp.) is a complete root parasite that derives total nourishment from host plants. Tobacco is a common crop that is most seriously infected by Orobanche, which causes more than 75% yield loss through reduction in above and below ground biomass, leaf yield and quality. Broomrape’s idiosyncratic features, such as prolific seed production (more than 5,00,000 seeds per plant), very small seed size, easy mode of seed dispersal, seed viability and longevity, and seed emergence only when a suitable host is present, make parasite eradication strategies ineffective and expensive. Although several potential control measures have been developed over the past few decades for its management, any approach applied alone is often only partially effective, and the results are sometimes inconsistent owing to variable environmental conditions. In addition, broomrape interactions with tobacco are highly specific and complicate the development of selective control methods that do not affect tobacco. Therefore, the only way to achieve effective control of Orobanche, especially in tobacco, is through an integrated approach that combines various measures in a concerted manner. Summer ploughing, growing sesame as trap crop preceding to tobacco, application of neem cake 250 kg/ha at 30 days after planting of tobacco and hand weeding are recommended as integrated approach for broomrape management in FCV tobacco under irrigated conditions. Top Keywords Broomrape, Crop loss, Infestation, Integrated, Management, Parasite, Tobacco. Top |