Modelling the Economics of Controlling Nodding Broomrape (Orobanche cernua) in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Abstract

Field studies were conducted at nine locations in southern Spain during 2 yr to develop models of nodding broomrape competition with sunflower and to establish economic thresholds. At each location, 30 to 35 small plots, each consisting of three sunflower plants, were chosen at random. The infection severity (BIS, no. of emerged broomrapes per sunflower plant) varied from 0 to 35. Plots were harvested at maturity to assess several sunflower and broomrape population variables. The percent sunflower yield reduction averaged over locations due to broomrape was estimated by the equation: % SYR = 1.7 x BIS (r2= 0.92). Crop yield loss per BIS unit increased with the expected yield and was estimated to be about 25, 50, and 75 kg ha−1for yields of 1000, 2000, and 3000 kg ha−1, respectively. A consistent relationship could be established between broomrape-infected sunflower yield, crop and broomrape biomass, and BIS parameters: SSYI= 0.2259 x PoBio/(1 + 0.0687 x BIS) (r2= 0.7820). The BIS economic threshold was about 1.5 and 3.5 for control treatment cost of $ 40 ha−1and potential yields of 2000 and 1000 kg ha−1, respectively.