Orobanche cumana race F: performance of resistant sunflower hybrids and aggressiveness of populations of the parasitic weed

Abstract

The production of sunflower is threatened by Orobanche cumana (broomrape) infections in many countries of southern and eastern Europe. The most virulent race of this parasitic weed, race F, is widespread in Spain. Most of the current commercial hybrids of resistant sunflower do not completely prevent broomrape emergence in the field. The performance (broomrape incidence and severity, final yields and oil contents) of four resistant and two susceptible sunflower hybrids was studied in different years in several O. cumana – infested locations. O. cumana – sunflower interactions were characterisedby low severity and intermediate incidence in the