Pre-Plant Black Plastic Mulching and Manure Composting for Controlling Hemp Broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) in Tomato

Controlling broomrape species in many crops has been continuing for the past decades with only limited success. Fumigants such as methyl bromide and herbicides are the only direct control practices. However, their application requires specific technology that is beyond the capability and affordability of subsistent farmers in small farming systems. In addition, chemicals are not totally safe to the environment. Air-tight mulching with black poly ethylene sheets, with or without band-mixing manure at 10 Kg m-2 in soil in the planting row for six weeks prior to planting, was found to be effective in reducing the dry weights and the total number of hemp broomrape attachments on tomato roots. Viability of broomrape seeds was significantly reduced and tomato growth was improved, especially if soil was mixed with cow or poultry manure. These treatments could offer a new environmentally safe procedure to manage broomrape, using farm resources and could improve the sustainability of crop management. It would also be an effective asset in organic farming