New Record in Summer Squash and Infestation of Branched Broomrape (Phelipanche ramosa (L.) Pomel) in Vegetable Areas in Van/Türkiye

Abstract

The increasing vegetable production in Van/Türkiye province and its districts, where the study was carried out. The most significant of these issues is the parasitic and highly invasive broomrapes. A survey was conducted in August-October 2019 in order to determine the extent of the broomrape problem in the areas of vegetables. In this study, the type of broomrape found in vegetable areas was identified first, then the infestation rates and the average number of shoots in each plant were determined. The results concluded that the branched broomrape [Phelipanche ramosa (L.) Pomel] was found as a single species in all areas. It was also detected that branched broomrape was infested with tomato, eggplant, cucumber, and summer squash; with related densities of 4.2, 0.4, 0.26, and 0.78 %, on average, respectively. No infestation was encountered in pepper. As a result of the study, this infestation detected in summer squash is the first record in terms of the host series of branched broomrape. Although less infestation was seen in other areas, it is predicted that the branched broomrape could be spread rapidly to non-infested areas over time due to its character.