Orobanche (Orobanche spp.) in lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.): How huge are the losses of yield, quality, marketing prices and profitability?

• Published in: Journal of agricultural sciences (Belgrade, Serbia) Vol. 65; no. 2; pp. 151 - 161
• Main Authors: Yolcu, Siraç, Ozberk, İrfan, Ozberk, Fethiye
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Belgrade - Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade 2020
• Subjects: grain yield; marketing prices; orobanche; profitability; quality; red lentil
• ISSN: 1450-8109; 2406-0968
• DOI: 10.2298/JAS2002151Y

This research aimed to inspect the impacts of severe parasitic plants
(Orobache spp.) on grain yield, some quality characteristics, marketing
price and profitability loss of red lentil in the major lentil growing area
of south-east Anatolia. Farmer field trials were carried out in two
neighbouring fields planted with Yerli K?rm?z? (landrace) and Firat-87
varieties of lentil employing a split-plot experimental design in the Yollar
basi location of Viransehir in the 2018-2019 crop growing season. Lentil
varieties were placed into main plots and the broomrape infestations (i.e.
0, 5, 10, and 15 plants m-2) in the subplots respectively. Grain yield,
hectolitre weights and 1000-kernel weights and protein contents (%) were
scored. All grain samples were presented to randomly chosen grain purchasers
in the local commodity market and marketing price offers were scored
respectively. Results showed that broomrape infestation from zero to 15
broomrapes m-2 reduced the grain yield significantly from 2033.33 kg ha-1 to
833.33 kg ha-1 by 59%. Although being non-significant, Firat-87 (1512, 5 kg
ha-1) was found to be higher yielding than Yerli K?rm?z? (1325 kg ha-1).
Regression equations between grain yield reductions vs. broomrape
infestation ratios turned out to be significant and reliable with high
coefficients of determinations for both varieties. Some visual purchasing
criteria such as hectolitre and 1000-kernel weights were not affected
seriously. Purchasers offered very similar marketing prices for pulse grains
with all severity levels. The economic loss was huge ($555 ha-1). Regression
equations derived from grain yield vs. infestation densities were found to
be reliable with high coefficients of determinations and can be perfectly
used for yield estimates under various levels of broomrape infestations. It
was concluded that an infestation over 15% might result in a disastrous
yield loss in lentil production. Therefore, some agronomic measures must be
taken quickly.
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