Biological and Cultural Control of Orobanche crenata in Faba Bean Through Trap Cropping and Soil Amendment

Abstract

Orobanche crenata is a destructive parasitic weed that poses a serious threat to faba bean production in many Mediterranean and semi-arid agricultural regions. The parasite causes substantial yield losses by attaching to host roots and extracting essential nutrients and water, leading to stunted growth, chlorosis, and reduced pod formation. Sustainable management of O. crenata remains challenging due to its prolonged seed viability and complex host–parasite interactions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of biological and cultural control strategies, including trap cropping and soil amendment, for the management of Orobanche crenata in faba bean cultivation. Field and greenhouse experiments were carried out using selected trap crops and different organic soil amendments to assess their influence on parasite germination, attachment, emergence, and crop performance. Parameters including broomrape density, infection severity, faba bean growth, and yield attributes were recorded and analyzed. The results demonstrated that trap cropping significantly reduced the infestation of O. crenata by stimulating suicidal germination of parasite seeds in the absence of a suitable host. Soil amendments further suppressed parasite emergence and improved soil fertility, leading to enhanced crop vigor and reduced disease pressure. Combined application of trap cropping and organic amendments produced the greatest reduction in parasite density and resulted in substantial improvement in faba bean growth and yield compared with untreated control plots. The integrated management approach also contributed to improved soil health and reduced dependency on chemical herbicides. The findings of this study highlight the potential of combining biological and cultural practices as an environmentally sustainable strategy for controlling O. crenata in faba bean production systems. Adoption of integrated parasitic weed management practices can therefore contribute to enhanced crop productivity, soil sustainability, and long-term agricultural resilience.