Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbiosis for control of Egyptian broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers.) in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) cultivation

The present study assessed the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers.) control to determine its effects on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) growth indices. This experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments included three strains of AMF (Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices and Glomuse hoe ) at three levels (100, 200 and 300 kg ha^?1). The control treatments (without mycorrhiza) were with and without broomrape (weed infest and weed free). The results showed that the use of G. intraradices and G. mosseae decreased broomrape seed germination, the number of nodules and the dry weight of the broomrape and increased root area and dry weight of the tomato plant when compared to G. hoe and the control treatments without broomrape. The tomato yield in G. intraradices 300 kg ha^?1 treatment increased by 10 and 205% than weed free and weed infest treatments, respectively. Finally, G. intraradices and G. mosseae at, respectively, 200 and 300 kg ha^?1 are recommended for land under tomato cultivation that has been contaminated with broomrape.