Using the possibilities of some trap, catch and Brassicaceaen crops for controlling crenate broomrape a problem in lentil fields

Broomrapes are obligate root parasitic weeds and major constraint to many dicotyledoncrops especially in Mediterranean agricultural lands. Due to the fact that no single controlmeasure is able to control broomrapes in the field satisfactorily, integrated management isrecommended in general. The use of of trap crops or catch crops is an important strategy forcontrolling the weeds; and allelopathic plants are also utilized for the control. Trap crops, alsocalled false hosts, are plants which stimulate the germination of the parasite seed but cannot beinfested and thus reduce the seed population in the soil. On the other hand, catch crops stimulatethe germination of the parasite seeds at a high frequency and allow the development of theparasite. Seed bank of the broomrapes are decreased by destroying the catch crops before theseed creating period of broomrape begins (Sauerborn, 1991). Field trials were conducted usingflax (Linum usitatissimum L.) as a trap plant; lentil (Lens culinaris L.) as a catch plant; membersof the Brassicaceae species, such as cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.), Brussels sprouts (Brassicaoleracea var. gemmifera (DC.) Thell.), broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck),cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.), canola (Brassica napus L.) and turnip (Brassicarapa var. rapa L.) as allelopathic plant in the Adana province (Turkey) in 2007-2009. Flax wasthe most effective treatment by decreasing 52% and 71% in shoot number and 55% and 26% indry weight of O. crenata in the first and second year, respectively. Broccoli of the Brassicaceaefamily, was found to reduce the number of O. crenata shoots by 48% and 39% in two years.Regarding the effect of Brassicaceae family on O. crenata, broccoli was found to reduce thenumber of O. crenata shoots by 39%. It is concluded that growing flax as a trap plant or lentil asa catch crop two months before the sowing of lentil as a crop is can be a main element ofintegrated broomrape managament, which cause to reduce the soil seed bank of crenatabroomrape.