Elemental sulphur and chicken manure for the control of branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa)

Field and greenhouse studies were conducted in Lebanon to investigate the effect of elementary Sulphur (0, 1, 4, 8, and 12 t/ha) with or without chicken manure (20 t/ha) on Orobanche ramosa growth and development in eggplant and potato. Sulphur alone was ineffective in reducing Orobanche growth and infestation or increasing the yield of either eggplant or potato. For both crops, chicken manure alone or with sulphur at all tested rates was effective in reducing Orobanche growth and infestation early in the season in comparison with the control. Unlike potato, the mixtures of chicken manure and Sulphur at 8 and 12 t/ha significantly reduced Orobanche infestation later in the season (75 and 90 days after transplanting) in eggplant. However, the mixtures of chicken manure and Sulphur at all tested rates significantly reduced the dry weight of Orobanche and increased eggplant and potato yield compared with the control. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.