Season after season, farmers in the region must deal with different and dangerous pests and diseases when producing quality vegetables and fruits. However, the presence of the Orobanche ramosa in the province of Limari is something new and unknown for producers of fresh cucumber in the area. During this season, a team of researchers from the Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), headed by the Deputy Director of Research of the Intihuasi Regional Center, Constanza Jana, conducted surveys in the field of Cerrillos de Tamaya where they ascertained the different degrees of infestation that were affecting the culture .
The Orobanche ramosa has the shape of a blue flower and is a parasite that needs to be attached to a host to survive. Its life cycle lasts 21 days and spreads through seeds. One plant can produce 150,000 seeds in powder form, which can last up to 12 years in the fields and can be easily distributed among neighbouring properties. These weeds can cause serious damage and total losses to the crops. It is also a quarantine pest in the countries with which Chile has trade relations, especially of vegetable and sunflower seeds.
To keep this weed under control and prevent its spread, producers must always use cuttings areas unaffected by the Orobanche and then clean the harvesters boxes, tools, containers, and any shoes that were used in areas infested. Other control measures include hand-weeding the plants before their flowering, placing them in bags outside the affected areas, and burning them when permitted. If the damage is too severe, authorities recommend applying a herbicide (glyphosate) which will eliminate the weeds and the crop. Solarization practices and application of composted manure also reduce the inoculum.
Constanza Jana, asked farmers in the area to prevent the spread of the Orobancheto to avoid economic losses. "The most important thing is that farmers are aware that this is a serious weed, which can damage 100% of their crops," she said. "We won't get anywhere if my neighbour does not take the control measures that I take because this pest spreads very fast with the wind. Fighting this pest requires teamwork. All producers of fresh cucumber need to know this," said the researcher.
The Orobanche is widely present in Chile, as it can be found from Coquimbo to the region of Araucania. This is the first time this weed has been found in the fresh cucumber crops in the province of Limari. This parasite also attacks other crops of the solanaceous family, such as tomato, eggplant, potato and tobacco; as well as celery, sunflower, and lettuce crops. It can also affect other species, such as paprika, cabbage, carrot, melon, cucumber,cotton, and some weeds, such as pigweed, fireweed, tomatillo, and bloodroot.
