Combating
sunflower
broomrape

The issue of sunflower broomrape (Orobanche cumana) has an international scale despite constant efforts to combat it. The sunflower broomrape is steadily spreading worldwide, including in Ukraine. Plant breeders acknowledge that today it is the No. 1 threat to sunflower cultivation globally! It is estimated that about 16 million hectares of sunflower crops are affected by broomrape annually. The NS Seme Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops specializes in studying the reproduction and spread of sunflower broomrape in Europe. Evrosem is the only official partner of NS Seme Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Ukraine, focusing on researching this parasitic plant and methods to combat it.

A separate scientific division ‘Field of Knowledge’ of Evrosem conducts research in the following areas:

– Study of geographic and racial identification and diversity of broomrape population in Ukraine;

– Identification of species and populations of plants with the genus Helianthus, which are donors of resistance genes to local broomrape races, on 5 testing sites each containing 300 resistance donors;

– Testing of methods and ways of broomrape seed distribution;

– Search for methods to combat and curb the parasite spread on the territory of Ukraine;

– Laboratory and greenhouse research conducted by the Field of Knowledge specialists, study of germination stimulants and resistance markers

To address this problem, the company is actively working in the following directions:

Breeding sunflower hybrids resistant to new broomrape races:

– A joint program with the NS Seme Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (Novi Sad) to test resistance donor lines against new local, highly virulent broomrape races.

 

– Annual testing of new sunflower hybrids for resistance to broomrape races widely spread in Ukraine.

We develop and promote methods to combat broomrape: a free educational program on the characteristics of the broomrape parasitic plant, its distribution ways, and tools for its containment and control.

In combating sunflower broomrape, Evrosem offers three hybrids – AVALON 7+, TOR 7+ SUMO, STARK 7+ SUMO – that demonstrate unprecedented resistance to this parasite, tested in all Ukrainian regions affected by this issue. Additionally, these three hybrids have high drought resistance and a powerful yield potential of over 50c/ha.

Many countries around the world grow strategically important crops, such as sunflowers. But its crops as well as tobacco, clover, hemp and tomato crops are often parasitized by plants from the Orobanchaceae family. This parasitic plant has a pale brownish stem color and scaly leaves, which due to the lack of chlorophyll are never green. It has numerous flowers at the top of the stem. Its lower part expands and attaches to the roots of host plants. One plant can produce up to 300 thousand small seeds, which are easily transported by wind and agricultural machinery. It is extremely difficult to fight it.

Parasite lifecycle:

Broomrape is a chlorophyll-free herbaceous plant from the family of Orobanchaceae.

The broomrape roots (haustoria) look like short fleshy fibers.

Stems typically grow 15-50 cm in height, although some plants can reach up to 1 meter.

Flowers form in the axils of the scales, gathering into cylindrical inflorescences. The tubular corolla is whitish at the base with a purple-blue tip.

The fruit is a multi-seeded capsule.

Brownish seeds have a rounded or oblong shape and remain viable for up to 20 years.

Parasite reproduction

Broomrape reproduces through seeds, which can germinate at depths of up to 20 cm when temperatures are between 15-30°C. Below 10°C or above 35°C, the seeds do not germinate. During germination, the potential host plant releases specific substances into the root zone to encourage the symbiosis of arbuscular fungi. These substances serve as indicators for broomrape seeds to begin germination. The broomrape seed sends out a root tube (a thin thread-like structure) that grows toward the highest concentration of the host plant’s root secretions. If it encounters a host plant, the sprout immediately attaches to it to extract nutrients and water. Due to this, it starts to thicken and actively grow. Six to eight weeks after attaching to the root system, the parasite’s shoots appear above the soil surface.

Broomrape absorbs water and minerals and releases metabolic products into the host’s root system. For sunflower plants, this results in significant developmental lag and a drastic reduction in yield. Several parasitic shoots may settle on a single sunflower root.

Рlant disease symptoms

When sunflower plants are affected, the water and nutrient balance in the roots and above-ground parts is disrupted. Water loss leads to impaired transpiration in the infected plant, resulting in a significant increase in water deficit and a reduction in photosynthetic activity. When sunflower plants are affected by broomrape, their growth and development slows down, leading to considerable crop losses. Sunflower leaves wilt and wither due to water deficiency, later on they turn yellow.

Main control methods

– Increasing the tillage depth (more than 20 cm).

– Competent crop rotation with 8-9-year cycle of sunflower return to the cultivation place

– Cultivation of new resistant hybrids.

– Chemical protection – growing hybrids resistant to imidazolinone group herbicides and applying appropriate treatments.

Combating
sunflower
broomrape

The issue of sunflower broomrape (Orobanche cumana) has an international scale despite constant efforts to combat it. The sunflower broomrape is steadily spreading worldwide, including in Ukraine. Plant breeders acknowledge that today it is the No. 1 threat to sunflower cultivation globally! It is estimated that about 16 million hectares of sunflower crops are affected by broomrape annually. The NS Seme Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops specializes in studying the reproduction and spread of sunflower broomrape in Europe. Evrosem is the only official partner of NS Seme Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Ukraine, focusing on researching this parasitic plant and methods to combat it.

A separate scientific division ‘Field of Knowledge’ of Evrosem conducts research in the following areas:

– Study of geographic and racial identification and diversity of broomrape population in Ukraine;

– Identification of species and populations of plants with the genus Helianthus, which are donors of resistance genes to local broomrape races, on 5 testing sites each containing 300 resistance donors;

– Testing of methods and ways of broomrape seed distribution;

– Search for methods to combat and curb the parasite spread on the territory of Ukraine;

– Laboratory and greenhouse research conducted by the Field of Knowledge specialists, study of germination stimulants and resistance markers.

To address this problem, the company is actively working in the following directions:

Breeding sunflower hybrids resistant to new broomrape races:

– A joint program with the NS Seme Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (Novi Sad) to test resistance donor lines against new local, highly virulent broomrape races.

 

– Annual testing of new sunflower hybrids for resistance to broomrape races widely spread in Ukraine.

We develop and promote methods to combat broomrape: a free educational program on the characteristics of the broomrape parasitic plant, its distribution ways, and tools for its containment and control.

In combating sunflower broomrape, Evrosem offers three hybrids – AVALON 7+, TOR 7+ SUMO, STARK 7+ SUMO – that demonstrate unprecedented resistance to this parasite, tested in all Ukrainian regions affected by this issue. Additionally, these three hybrids have high drought resistance and a powerful yield potential of over 50c/ha.

Many countries around the world grow strategically important crops, such as sunflowers. But its crops as well as tobacco, clover, hemp and tomato crops are often parasitized by plants from the Orobanchaceae family. This parasitic plant has a pale brownish stem color and scaly leaves, which due to the lack of chlorophyll are never green. It has numerous flowers at the top of the stem. Its lower part expands and attaches to the roots of host plants. One plant can produce up to 300 thousand small seeds, which are easily transported by wind and agricultural machinery. It is extremely difficult to fight it.

Parasite lifecycle:

Broomrape is a chlorophyll-free herbaceous plant from the family of Orobanchaceae.

The broomrape roots (haustoria) look like short fleshy fibers.

Stems typically grow 15-50 cm in height, although some plants can reach up to 1 meter.

Flowers form in the axils of the scales, gathering into cylindrical inflorescences. The tubular corolla is whitish at the base with a purple-blue tip.

The fruit is a multi-seeded capsule.

Brownish seeds have a rounded or oblong shape and remain viable for up to 20 years.

Parasite reproduction

Broomrape reproduces through seeds, which can germinate at depths of up to 20 cm when temperatures are between 15-30°C. Below 10°C or above 35°C, the seeds do not germinate. During germination, the potential host plant releases specific substances into the root zone to encourage the symbiosis of arbuscular fungi. These substances serve as indicators for broomrape seeds to begin germination. The broomrape seed sends out a root tube (a thin thread-like structure) that grows toward the highest concentration of the host plant’s root secretions. If it encounters a host plant, the sprout immediately attaches to it to extract nutrients and water. Due to this, it starts to thicken and actively grow. Six to eight weeks after attaching to the root system, the parasite’s shoots appear above the soil surface.

Broomrape absorbs water and minerals and releases metabolic products into the host’s root system. For sunflower plants, this results in significant developmental lag and a drastic reduction in yield. Several parasitic shoots may settle on a single sunflower root.

Рlant disease symptoms

When sunflower plants are affected, the water and nutrient balance in the roots and above-ground parts is disrupted. Water loss leads to impaired transpiration in the infected plant, resulting in a significant increase in water deficit and a reduction in photosynthetic activity. When sunflower plants are affected by broomrape, their growth and development slows down, leading to considerable crop losses. Sunflower leaves wilt and wither due to water deficiency, later on they turn yellow.

Main control methods

– Increasing the tillage depth (more than 20 cm).

– Competent crop rotation with 8-9-year cycle of sunflower return to the cultivation place

– Cultivation of new resistant hybrids.

– Chemical protection – growing hybrids resistant to imidazolinone group herbicides and applying appropriate treatments.