Post-Attachment Herbicide Treatment For Controlling Field Dodder Cuscuta Campestris Yuncker Parasitizing Onion In Gezira State Sudan

AbstractField dodder Cuscuta Campestris is an annual obligate stem parasite that attaches itself to a variety of host plants and is totally dependent on its host plant for assimilating nutrients and water supply. The economic importance of the parasite is due to the fact that it poses a threat to some vegetable crops grown in Gezira State such as onions tomatoes jews mallow and salad rocketand reduces their yield substantially. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of post-attachment application of 3 herbicides namely glyphosate goal and stomp in controlling field dodder parasitizing onion and to determine their impact on crop yield. The experiments were conducted in 2 locations in the 1stseasonthe experiment was conducted in a farmers field in Alsharafa area the field was sown in local red onion that was severely infected with field dodder. In the 2nd season the experiment was conducted at the demonstration farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Gezira Wad Medani Sudan. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized block design with 3 replications. Post-attachment application of stomp at 0.36 kg a.i. feddan-1 goal at 0.1 kg a.i. feddan-1 and glyphosate at 1 vv controlled field dodder by 86-100 76-85 and 51-62 respectively. Dodder treated with stomp exhibited phyllody stem thickness and it prevented haustorial attachment and inhibited seed production. During the 2 seasons onion bulb fresh weight bulb diameterand total soluble solids of herbicides treated dodder-infected onion were significantly increased by 168-336 116-154 and 73-143 respectively as compared to untreatedcontrol. In conclusion the herbicide treatments controlled field dodder after its establishment which is very important in reducing seed production and stops the parasite spread. Stomp could be recommended for field dodder control as post-attachment application.