Abstract:

Broomrape (Phelipanche spp. and Orobanche spp.) are holoparasitic weeds, causes a significant problem in various crops in the Mediterranean countries. Phelipanche aegyptiaca (Pers.) Pomel and Phelipanche ramosa (L.) are species that cause significant yield and quality losses in tomato production. Microorganisms, especially fungi, can be utilized as biocontrol agents in controlling broomrapes. This study was conducted in 2023, aimed to identify fungi isolated from parasitic weed species causes problems in greenhouse tomato areas in the Western Mediterranean Region of Türkiye, specifically in Antalya, Burdur, and Isparta provinces. During surveys conducted in tomato greenhouses in September and October, parasitic weeds exhibiting fungal symptoms were collected. The infected broomrape samples were collected from 50 tomato greenhouses and 99 fungi were obtained from the infected broomrape plants. The fungi were morphologically characterized and identified at the genus level. Consequently, 69 of the isolated fungi were identified as Fusarium spp., and 30 as Rhizoctonia spp. This study, is the first study conducted on this subject in Turkiye, contributes to understand the fungal diversity associated with parasitic weeds in the Western Mediterranean Region and provides a basis for researching the biological control potentials of these fungi.

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