Document Type : scientific research article
Authors
1
Department of Plant Production and Genetics Engineering, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
2
Dept. of Plant Production and Genetics, campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
10.22069/jopp.2026.24772.3348
Abstract
Sunflower is an important oilseed and nut crop in several countries around the world. Among the serious factors threatening the yield and growth of sunflower, the root parasite Orobanche cumana has recently caused heavy damage to sunflower in Sonqor County, Kermanshah Province. The use of cover crops is one of the ecological methods of weed management, and its combination with the optimal use of chemical fertilizers can improve its effect. Therefore, this study was conducted in a sunflower field heavily infested with sunflower broomrape in the village of Qiyas Abad, Sonqor County, Kermanshah Province, in 2024. The experiment was conducted as a factorial design in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental treatments included different levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 percent of the recommended amount based on soil test results) and the cultivation of three cover crops including common vetch, Persian clover, and field oats as live mulch between the sunflower rows. The cover crops were returned to the soil at the 5- to 6-leaf growth stage of the sunflower using a hoe cultivator. The measured traits included sunflower growth and yield, as well as the amount of broomrape infestation in the plots. With increasing nitrogen fertilizer in the soil, the percentage of sunflower plants infected with broomrape parasites decreased, and the lowest level of infestation was obtained in treatments that received 200 kg/ha of nitrogen. Overall, the use of field oats, Persian clover, and common vetch were successful in reducing the number of broomrape plants and increasing the percentage of control of this parasitic plant compared to the control, and the maximum control of broomrape of 17% was achieved with oats and vetch. Cultivation of clover cover crop at all nitrogen fertilizer rates always increased the height and seed yield of sunflower compared to vetch and oats. However, oats had an advantage in increasing biomass compared to the other two legumes. According to the results obtained, it can be concluded that increasing sunflower growth (with the use of nitrogen fertilizer and cover crop) reduces its contamination by broomrape, which is partly due to the abundance of resources for optimal host plant growth and also to the lower secretion of broomrape germination stimulants by sunflower.gumes. According to the results obtained, it can be concluded that increasing sunflower growth (with the use of nitrogen fertilizer and cover crop) reduces its contamination by broomrape, which is partly due to the abundance of resources for optimal host plant growth and also to the lower secretion of broomrape germinat
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