Protection of sunflower from the parasite (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) by stimulating immunity

Aim. To study the possibility of stimulating sunflower immunity to protect against the broomrape parasite by inducers of plant systemic resistance of chemical and biological origin, which cause the formation of reactive oxygen species and trigger plant defense mechanisms through the salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway. Methods. Sunflower resistance to broomrape treated with plant immunity inducing agents was evaluated in a pot experiment using a modified methodology. Results. Spraying of sunflower plants of P64LE99 hybrid artificially infected with broomrape parasite with inducers of systemic resistance of chemical (salicylic acid preparation) and biological origin (tinder fungus preparation) ensured control of the pathogen at 80 %. Preparations of salicylic acid and tinder fungus reduce the infection of sunflower by broomrape by inducing acquired systemic resistance, characterized by the launch of plant defense responses. Conclusions. The treatment of plants with preparations of natural and synthetic origin that stimulate plant immunity, either alone or in combination with classical fungicides, can be a promising strategy for protecting sunflower from the broomrape parasite with better environmental protection and the basis for the creation of the fourth generation of protective agents.