Farmers’ Knowledge and Perception of Crenate Broomrape (Orobanche crenata) and Management Practices in Faba Bean Farming System in Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) has a significant potential for nutrient source, income generation and soil fertility management  in smallholder farming systems of northern highlands of Ethiopia. However, its cultivation is strongly hampered by the occurrence of the obligate root holo-parasite, crenate broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forskal). To gather baseline data  for developing a sustainable crenate broomrape management, 33 faba bean growers' households in South Gondar, and  South Wollo Zones of the Amhara Regional State and Southern Tigray of the Tigray Regional State of Ethiopia were  surveyed during the 2018 cropping season using a structured questionnaire. Most of the respondents (61%) believed  that crenate broomrape was introduced in the 1990s with grain meant for food aid. All respondents believed that the  weed is highly problematic and difficult to control. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents practice cultural control to  minimize its infestation but all perceived that the current management practices were ineffective. The rest of the  respondents (33%) did not practice any control measure and preferred abandoning faba bean cultivation in their field.  Thus, this survey work indicated that the spread and dense infestation of crenate broomrape is causing considerable  impacts on faba bean production. A coordinated management strategy with intensive public awareness creation  program that can restrict its infestation and associated socio-economic impacts on farming systems in northern  highlands of the country is required.