A field study on the effect of Phelipanche aegyptiaca management on tomato yield

Egyptian broomrape Phelipanche aegyptiaca is a parasitic weed that infests its hosts and feeds on the sap, significantly impacting crop yields. This experiment aims to control the Egyptian broomrape in its seed germination stage and reduce the damage to tomatoes. Fertilizer treatments included urea, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium nitrate at the rate of 150, 250, and 300 kg h-1 respectively, which were applied in three divided stages. Organic herbicide, before transplanting at the rate of six per thousand, and the humic acid plus phosphorus at the rate of two and 60 kg ha-1 in two stages were used in wet soil using calibrated backpack sprayers equipped with a nozzle. Also, four applications of sulfosulfuron (Apiros®, 75% WG) at the rate of 35 g ha-1 at intervals of 30, 40, 50, and 60 days after planting seedlings, and not weeding the Egyptian broomrape (broomrape-infested tomato) were among the other treatments in the experiment. The results revealed that the effect of experimental treatments on the studied traits of tomato and Egyptian broomrape was significant. Application of four stages of sulfosulfuron increased fruit number per plant and yield by 41% and 77%, respectively, compared to the weed-infested control. Herbicide application reduced Egyptian broomrape density by 89% per tomato plant compared to the weed-infested control. Applying sulfosulfuron and humic acid plus phosphorus reduced the dry weight of Egyptian broomrape by 78% and 69%, respectively, compared to the weed-infested control. Also, the relationship between the studied traits in Egyptian broomrape and tomatoes was inconsistent and significant. Based on our results, four applications of sulfosulfuron was recognized as the most effective in reducing the morphological characteristics of Egyptian broomrape and increasing tomato yield in the field. Also, applying two stages of humic acid plus phosphorus effectively reduced broomrape’s adverse effects and increased tomato yield.