Abstract:

Dodder (Cuscuta spp.) is a parasitic weed damaging several crop plants. A weed survey covering vegetable fields, orchards and vineyards was conducted from 2015 to 2018 in Northwestern Turkey. During surveys parasitic weed Cuscuta campestris Yunck was found attached to 23 weed species from 15 families. Higher frequency of parasitism of dodder was determined in Polygonum aviculare L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., Chenopodium album L., Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Rich., Lactuca serriola L., Portulaca oleracea L. and Cichorium intybus L. weed species. The infection intensity was the highest in Lactuca serriola L., Convolvulus arvensis L., Portulaca oleracea L., Tribulus terrestris L., Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Rich., Rumex crispus L. and Polygonum aviculare L.