Effect of the animal's digestive system on the infectivity of Orobanche seeds

Seeds of Orobanche aegyptica Pers., O. cernua Leofl. and O. crenata Forsk. were introduced into the rumen of three rumen-canulated rams. Infectious seeds of all Orobanche species were found in the faeces as indicated by infecting different host plants in pot experiments. There were indications that the seeds of O. crenata are the most susceptible to the detrimental effects of the animal's digestive processes on their infectivity, whereas the O. aegyptica Pers. seeds are the most resistant of the three species tested. The consequences of these findings in connection with the spread of the pest as a result of agricultural practices are discussed.