Abstract Parasitic weeds decrease severely the production
of major grain and forage legumes. The most economically
damaging weeds for temperate legumes are broomrapes, in
particular Orobanche crenata. Broomrape species such as
Orobanche foetida, Orobanche minor, and Phelipanche
aegyptiaca can also induce high local damage. Other
parasitic weeds such as Striga gesnerioides and Alectra
vogelii decrease yield of legume crops throughout semi-arid
areas of sub-Saharan Africa