Response of branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) growth and development to various soil amendments in potato

Abstract A field study was conducted to determine the effect of various organic soil amendments on Orobanche ramosa growth and development in potato. The treatments were broiler, cattle, goat, layer, sheep manure and wood chips, each applied at four rates: 0, 10, 15 and 20 t/ha. Goat manure was the only treatment that significantly reduced Orobanche infestation throughout the growing season and shoot dry weight (58.5% reduction). All other treatments significantly reduced Orobanche infestation only early in the season, but had no significant effect on shoot dry weight. However, potato yield (except for woodchips), plant number, and specific gravity of potato tubers for all treatments were not significantly different from the control.