Revisiting strategies for reducing the seedbank of Orobanche and Phelipanche spp.

Weedy Orobanche and Phelipanche species are important in Southern and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and have recently been reported in the USA, Australia and some countries in South America. Rather than being controlled, the Orobanche and Phelipanche problem is increasing, both in intensity and in acreage. Large areas of new territory are at risk of invasion, if care is not immediately taken to limit the introduction of parasitic seeds and to educate farmers and others to be alert for new infestations. There is an urgent need to re-evaluate novel integrated Orobanche and Phelipanche management programmes that will allow a better control of the parasite species and limit their distribution. The main obstacle in the long-term management of Orobanche and Phelipanche infested fields is the durable seedbank, which may remain viable for decades in the field. Large quantities of long-lived seeds give the parasite genetic adaptability to changes in host resistance and cultural practices. As long as the seedbank is not controlled, the need to control the parasite will persist whenever a susceptible host is grown in the infested field. We discuss strategies for seedbank reduction, paying particular attention to cultural practices, whereas chemical and biological control methods are covered by other reviews in this issue.