Effects of N fertilizer and a bioherbicide on Egyptian broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca) in a tomato field

This study aimed to investigate the effects of bioherbicide and nitrogen fertilizer on Egyptian broomrape in tomato field. An experiment was conducted in 2014 at research field of Shiraz University. Treatments consisted of nitrate ammonium (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1) and biofertilizer as the first factor and bioherbicide (seedling root soaked with the bioherbicide), bioherbigation and control (no bioherbicide) as the second factor. Application of 200 kg ha-1 nitrate ammonium caused a decrease in broomrape height and biomass by 18.7 and 33.7 %, respectively. However, it caused an increase in tomato yield by 26.8%. Bioherbigation also caused a significant decrease in broomrape height and dry biomass by 44.5 and 58.6 %, respectively. Our results showed that application of 200 kg ha-1 nitrate ammonium along with bioherbicide can be a promising strategy to decrease the detrimental impact of broomrape and to increase tomato yield.