Tolerance of parsley varieties to Orobanche

Parasitic plants infest numerous plants throughout the world depleting them of nutrients, minerals and water. Orobanche species are chlorophyll-lacking root holoparasites that cause severe damage to broad-leaved crops. Orobanche aegyptiaca and Orobanche crenata parasitize field, vegetable, fodder, flower and herb crops in the Mediterranean region. Curled parsley (Petroselinum crispum), a major crop in the dry herb industry in Israel, is highly susceptible to O. aegyptiaca and O. crenata and in infested fields suffers severe yield and quality damage. An in vitro study in polyethylene bags, greenhouse experiments in soil-filled pots and trials in a naturally Orobanche-infested field were performed in order to screen and test for differential susceptibility of parsley varieties to O. aegyptiaca and O. crenata. Results revealed that the parsley varieties Garland and Garbo were tolerant to Orobanche compared to the susceptible varieties Darki, Extra Triple and Kaderava.