Effect of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) Transplanting Date on Broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca) Density

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) transplanting date on broomrape (Orobanche spp) density in Golmakan, Khorasan-Razavi Province during 2010 growing season. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design with four replications. The treatments included five transplanting dates of tomato: 31, 41, 51, 60 and 69 days after 21st March. The results showed significant differences in density and dry matter of broomrape among treatments. The latest transplanting date presented less density and dry matter of broomrape compared to the 2nd transplanting date. The first and the forth transplanting dates showed less density and dry matter of broomrape than the second and the third transplanting dates, significantly. Early and late transplanting dates were the best treatments with the maximum tomato yield and less infection by broomrape. It may show high correlation between broomrape infection and seasonal temperature.