Studies on dodder (Cuscuta spp.) infestation in clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) fields in some governorates in Nile Delta
Abstract: Set of field, laboratory and farmer questionnaire studies were conducted in three governorates in the Nile Delta i.e. Menoufia, Kafr El-Sheikh and Gharbia in the period from 2000/2001 to 2004/2005 winter seasons to throw light on the magnitude of dodder problem in Egyptian clover and provide information on dodder infestation level and measures for its control. Field surveillance study in 260 clover fields in Menoufia governorate shows that 11.1% of surveyed fields were infested with dodder from Cuscuta planiflora / C. pedicellata mixture appeared as scattered patches ranged from 0.25 to 22 m2 in its size. Severity (%) or covered area by dodder represents 0.52% of total surveyed area in clover fields over governorate. Results of seed contamination from 150 farmer seed samples were inspected in laboratory exerted that 87% of them were contaminated with dodder seeds with average 14.4 g / kg of clover seeds. ٍSamples collected from certified seeds were free of dodder seeds. These results indicate that clover seeds represent the main source of dodder infestation. Germination study showed that optimum temperature for dodder seed germination was 15 oC and it can germinate in range of 10-20 oC. Results of questionnaire study for 100 farmers, on their awareness by dodder problem and available measures for controlling it, indicated that 85% of farmers suffer from dodder problem, 5% use certified or cleaned seeds and 20% of them have high infestation levels in scattered patches. The available practice for 50% of the farmers to control dodder is through mowing or hand pulling. It was shown that 68% of farmers need an effective package to compact this problem.
Publication year 2006
Pages 287-300
Availability location المعمل المركزى لبحوث الحشائش - ش الجامعة - مركز البحوث الزراعية - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
serial title Egypt. J. Agric. Res
ISSN 1110-6336
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    S.S. EL-Khanagry (المؤلف الثانى )
Agris Categories Weeds and weed control
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Clover. Cuscuta. Egypt. Trifolium alexandrinum.
Publication Type Journal
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