Utilization Opportunities from Allelopathic Features of Some Catch and Trap Crops for Controlling Egyptian Broomrape [Phelipanche aegyptiaca (Pers.) Pomel] in Tomato Fields

Broomrapes are obligate root parasitic plants and cause a significant decrease in yield and quality of host plants. Due to lack of a single effective and economic method can be applied to the weeds in the world, integrated management is recommended in general. Using of trap and catch crops is an important strategy for controlling of the weeds and allelopathic plants are also utilized for the control. In this study, the possibilities of using allelopathic features of some plants (flax as a trap plant, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, canola, lentils and turnip as catch crops) were investigated against Egyptian broomrape [Phelipanche aegyptiaca (Pers.) Pomel] which is problematic in the cultivation of tomato. For this aim, field trials were conducted in the Adana province in the years of 2008-2009, as randomized complete block design with four replications. As a result, turnip radish was determined as the most effective treatment with 59.5% and 50.89% efficiency to branch number and dry weight of P. aegyptiaca, respectively. Also, broccoli and canola within the other Brassica species were determined as the potential catch crops. Flax selected as a trap crop was effective 14.5% and 20.24% to branch and dry weight of P. aegyptiaca, respectively.