Are root parasitic broomrapes still a good target for bioherbicide control?

Abstract

Root parasitic weeds of the genera Orobanche and Phelipanche (commonly named broomrapes) are responsible for enormous yield losses of several crops all around the world. Traditional weed management methods, including among others the use of herbicides, soil fumigation and solarization, and mechanical, agronomic or physical methods, may have limits of use or can provide a modicum of control. Difficulties in controlling parasitic weeds are due to both the enormous number of seeds produced by each plant that can remain viable for many years, even in the absence of a host, and to the unique physiological and biological properties of the parasite. Although long considered a suitable and promising approach, biological control, in particular the use of microbial organisms or compounds stimulating or inhibiting seed germination, has had no commercial success and no products have reached the market. This article provides a quick overview of the bioherbicide approaches attempted until now, briefly discussing the causes of the failures and the possibility to improve biocontrol agents’ effectiveness. Indeed, despite the failures, the ‘bioherbicide’ approach deserves renewed interest in light of the enormous scientific and technological progress made in past years, which offers new chances of success. © 2023 The Author. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Inhibition of broomrape germination by 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol produced by environmentalPseudomonas

“…This study reinforces the interest of using microorganisms as natural solutions to regulate populations of pests and plant pathogens [58]. Indeed, this study is the first to discover and demonstrate the inhibitory effect of DAPG on parasitic plant germination, expanding the repertoire of plant-beneficial properties of environmental pseudomonads.…”

The future of microbial bioherbicides

“…9 Vurro provides a perspective on whether another group of parasitic weeds termed broomrapes, Orobanche and Phelipanche species, are good targets for microbial bioherbicides. 10 Neal provides a perspective on the use of microbial bioherbicides in turfgrass, a use that is attractive for economic and safety reasons. 11 The potential of the plant pathogen fungus Bipolaris yamadae as a biocontrol agent against grass weeds in crops is evaluated.…”

“…The meeting was organized into twenty‐two 50‐min presentations with ample time for discussion. Sixteen of the articles in this issue are from conference participants 2–17 . Four related articles from non‐participants are also included 18–21 .…”

“…Its improvement as a seed coating for control of this weed in maize is covered in another research article 9 . Vurro provides a perspective on whether another group of parasitic weeds termed broomrapes, Orobanche and Phelipanche species, are good targets for microbial bioherbicides 10 . Neal provides a perspective on the use of microbial bioherbicides in turfgrass, a use that is attractive for economic and safety reasons 11 .…”

Identification and genetic diversity analysis of broomrape in Xinjiang, China

“…Broomrape can severely retard the growth and productivity of its host plants and cause crop losses that reach billions of dollars annually [ 2 , 3 ]. At present, some methods have been applied in the field to control broomrape, such as cultural practices, suicidal germination, activation of systemic acquired resistance, biocontrol, and herbicides [ 4 , 5 ]. However, the reproductive capacity of broomrape is very strong; each plant can produce 100 thousand seeds [ 4 ], of which O. aegyptiaca has a stronger reproductive capacity, producing 500 thousand to 3 million seeds per plant and possibly remaining dormant for more than 15 years [ 6 , 7 ], which makes broomrape control extremely difficult.…”