مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Distribution and Density of Alfalfa Dodder (Cuscuta approximata Bab.) in Alfalfa in Van Province, Turkey

Abstract :

This research was carried out to determine the distribution and the density of smoothseed alfalfa dodder (Cuscuta approximata Bab.) in alfalfa fields in Van province during 2009–2010. Research area was divided into five distinct area (Gürpınar, Muradiye–Çaldıran, Van Center–Edremit–Gevaş, Erciş and Özalp–Saray) based on climatic and some other features. Five hundred samples were taken from alfalfa fields both two years. In the first year and prior to the first harvest of alfalfa, the number of infested alfalfa plants were found an average of 38 shoots per square meter, the frequency of occurrence was found as 48%; prior to the second harvest of alfalfa, the number of infested alfalfa plants were found an average of 16 shoots per square meter, and the frequency of occurrence was determined 32%. In second year and prior to the first harvest of alfalfa, the number of infested alfalfa plants were found an average of 15 shoots per square meter, the frequency of occurrence was determined as 18%; prior to the second harvest of alfalfa, the number of infested alfalfa plants were found an average of 3 shoots per square meter, and the frequency of occurrence was found as 8%. Prior to the first harvest, the highest alfalfa dodder density (51.3 shoots m^–2) was found in Van Center–Edremit–Gevaş; prior to the second harvest, the highest alfalfa dodder density (28.4 shoots m^–2) was found in Muradiye–Çaldıran district in 2009. The highest alfalfa dodder densities (28.7 and 5.2 shoots m^–2) were found in Gürpınar district prior to the first and second harvest of alfalfa in 2010. As a conclusion, according to data obtained alfalfa dodder has a high prevalence in alfalfa fields grown in the region.