The broomrapes (Orobanche and Phelipanche spp.) are root
parasitic plants widespread in Mediterranean areas. Several
broomrape species have specialized to survive in agricultural
ecosystems as weeds feeding on the roots of important crops.6
A wide variety of approaches including physical, cultural,
chemical, and biological control measures have been explored
against broomrapes, but most of them are not effective or not
selective to the majority of susceptible crops. The methods
currently available to farmers are the use of resistant cultivars
and chemical control with systemic herbicides such as
glyphosate or imidazolinones at low rates or soil applications
of sulfonylurea,7−9 but all have drawbacks and new options
need to be explored.