Even residents of large cities are well aware of the importance of sunflower as an agricultural crop. This is not only the most popular vegetable oil in the country, but also a delicious treat for children and adults. In addition to the fried raw seeds, the fruits of the plant are used in a large number of confectionery products, the baking industry. Sunflower is popular not only as an industrial crop, but is often grown in summer cottages and private farmsteads. There are a large number of decorative varieties that are used to decorate flower beds.
Those wishing to grow a healthy plant should know about some of the pests associated with it. One of these parasites will be sunflower broomrape.
Photos of infected fields indicate the seriousness of the fight against this pest.
Biological description
A perennial from the class Dicotyledonous is widespread throughout Eurasia, as well as in Africa. Light brown grass, almost leafless, with a stalk covered with hard scales. The parasite is able to quickly infect large areas. The fruit box contains up to 2 thousand small seeds, which can survive under adverse conditions for up to 10 years. The stem of the plant is swollen at the base. Irregularly shaped flowers, often without sepals. The inflorescence is spike-shaped. The Latin name for Sunflower Broomrape is Orobanche cumana Wallr.
A characteristic feature of this genus is the absence of roots. The parasite grows together with the roots of the donor and lives at its expense. With high contamination of the fields, sunflower quickly dies. Even under favorable conditions, yield decreases significantly.
Risk groups
The parasite adapts only to a certain group of plants, rarely spreads to other crops. True, cases of infection of tomatoes, tobacco, safflower, hemp and some other cultivated plants have been recorded. It is sometimes found on the roots of wild crops, in particular in wormwood, fruit tree.
From the description of sunflower broomrape, it appears that, having entered the field of growing a donor plant, it quickly begins to grow in a favorable environment, and the stem merges with the host root. The donor stops receiving enough nutrients with water. Moreover, the result of the vital activity of the parasite poisons the seeds of the host, they take an ugly form. In a hot, dry summer, the host plant dies quickly.
Parasite control
In the fight against sunflower broomrape, it is difficult to choose one, even a very reliable, method. As already noted, the parasite seeds are almost invisible, spread in large quantities. In addition, they are capable of a long time in the waiting stage. The plant begins to develop underground, as a rule, only in the presence of host embryos. Modern agricultural technology offers several ways to deal with this weed.
Crop rotation
An effective method of control is a conventional crop rotation. The parasite is able to survive only on certain crops. Replacing the purpose of the fields does not allow emerging seeds to germinate, give new fruits. Contamination of fields is held back. True, in conditions of high contamination of the border territories, this method is ineffective. In addition, the seeds of sunflower broomrape are able to wait for their master for many years.
Agrotechnical techniques
Standard agricultural practices can effectively suppress the spread of sunflower broomrape. Control measures that can be identified for summer residents:
- Deep digging twice a year: in the winter - after harvesting, and in the spring - before planting.
- Timely weeding of the plot from weeds.
- Regular watering.
- Prevent ripening of parasite seeds even in wild areas.
- Thickened planting of a cultivated plant.
With the regular use of these techniques, you can avoid infection of the site not only with broomrape, but also with other weeds.
The use of biological methods
Conventional phytomiz flies can be good helpers to combat sunflower broomrape. These insects successfully eat plant seeds and prevent them from germinating. Modern science also offers a number of bioherbicides that quickly kill the parasite. Unlike a chemical counterpart, it acts selectively, does no harm to other plants, and is harmless to humans and pets. Unfortunately, until these drugs are not properly used due to the complex technology of use.
We turn to chemistry
The last thing worth turning to is the use of herbicides.
Chemicals accumulate in the soil, can cause significant harm to the environment. Although modern industry produces a sufficient number of effective drugs with the least side effects. Two high-quality products can be noted: Device Ultra and Euro-Light. If you follow the instructions, they will be effective helpers in the fight against parasites.
Hybrid crops
The most promising area of struggle is the use of hybrid seeds. Breeders have long ago bred plants with immune resistance to all types of diseases and rejective parasites.
In Europe, the Pioneer hybrid has gained great popularity; sunflower broomrape is practically not found on the roots of its plants. “Syngenta” and “Tunka” showed themselves well. Species such as Jason and Forward, in addition to broomrape, are highly resistant to a number of viral diseases. The main disadvantage of this method is the high cost of seeds.