Managing Egyptian Broomrape (Phelipanche aegyptiaca (Pers.) Pomel) Using Nitrogen Fertilizer in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)

An outdoor pot-experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of various fertilizers on reduction Phelipanche aegyptiaca damage in tomato at Research Farm of University of Tehran, Karaj, during 2008 and 2009. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. Treatments comprised ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate and urea each at rates of 150 and 300 kg/ha and ammonium sulfate at 250 and 500 kg/ha. In this research control pot for the first year was sowing Phelipanche aegyptiaca seed and in the second year, control without Phelipanche aegyptiaca seed also was included. Results in the first year showed that Ammonium sulfate applied at 250 and 500 kg/ha and control without broomrape was the most effective treatments in increasing tomato yield and reducing broomrape damage. Ammonium phosphate and urea both at 150 kg/ha and ammonium sulfate at 250 kg/ha had most tomato dry weight while the minimum was belonged to ammonium nitrate used at 150 and 300 kg/ha. Ammonium phosphate applied at rates of 150 and 300 kg/ha decreased aerial and tuber dry weight of broomrape more than other treatments. According to these results applying ammonium sulfate at 250 kg/ha for broomrape control in tomato is the best treatment