Plant extracts to manage the parasitic weed branched broomrape (Phelipanche ramosa)

Some weeds have parasitic lifestyles, causing severe problems in agriculture. These plants include Phelipanche ramosa (L.) Pomel (branched broomrape). Greenhouse and nursery trials were carried out to assess control of P. ramosa using organic extracts from 14 plant species. The parameters recorded were counts of living and dead tubercles of P. ramosa and fresh weights of living tubercles. Organic extract of Olea europea reduced lengths of germ tubes during P. ramosa seed germination, and extracts of Bidens bipinnata and Dittrichia viscosa reduced production and development of the parasite’s tubercles, with very encouraging results in reducing seed germination rates. This research provides knowledge insights on the potential use of plant secondary metabolites to limit spread of P. ramosa, addressing an increasing challenge for organic crop production.