Abstract :
Broomrapes are a chlorophyllousholoparasites of many economically important dicotyledonous crops. As weeds, they cause reductions in crop yield, adversely affect crop quality, and result in loss of cultivated land due to reduced crop alternatives. Few effective control measures exist for broomrapes. One of the most promising approaches is the use of biological control. The aim of this investigation was evaluation of Fusariumsolani effectiveness to broomrape control. This experiment was conducted in the spring of 2004 in factorial arrangement in frame of randomised complete blocks design in three replications in research fields of IA University of Roodhen. Treatments were broomrape control in three levels (Without removing of parasites, hand cutting and Fusariumsolani) and three varieties (Petoearly CH, Early Urbana Y and Hybrid Petopride II). Each plots contains 4 rows and samples were taken from 2 middle rows. Individual plots size was 3 m wide by 4 m long. Tomato seed were planted in nursery and at 4- leaf stage, they transplanted. At this time, plant roots were inoculated by Fusariumsolani. Orobanche seed was supplied by weed research department of PPDRI and planted in tomato root zone. Measured traits were stem fresh and dried weight, stem height and tomato yield. Result of this investigation showed that stem length varied from 40 to 45 cm, the lowest was from the control plots (which orobanch was not removed in entire the growing season) and the highest was from plots under Fusariumsolani treatment. Stem fresh weight was affected by hand cutting and highest stem fresh weight (60.889 g/plant) was recorded in plots under hand cutting treatment. Stem weight was not affected significantly by varieties, but highest stem weight was recorded in control plots (49g/plant).
