BROOM RAPE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19461, 7 November 1928, Page 3

BROOM RAPE.

AN INJURIOUS PARASITE.

A number of enquiries have been received from Canterbury farmers regarding a plant growing on the roots of red clover. To Becure authentic information about the trouble specimens were submittv.l to Mr R. McGillivray, F.L.S., Fields Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture.

Mr MeGillivray states that the growth that has attached itself to the red clover is a parasitic plant known as broom rape (orobanche minor). It belongs to an order of brownish coloured, leafless plants, most of which are parasitical on the roots of other plants. Like dodder they attach themselves to their host by means of auckorß. The variety that is of special interest to farmers here is the one that attacks tho clover family, and especially red clover. The seed of broom rape will lie in the ground for years, and many authorities contend that it does not germinate until a crop suited to its requirements is sown. The seedlings arc slender and threadlight and penetrate the soil where they attach themselves to the clover root. The roots then develop a thick, fleshy stem, and in a few weeks appear above ground somewhat in the same manner as an asparagus shoot, only the colour is a reddish brown. The plant attains a height of from 6 to 14 inches, and produces a inconspicuous brown or reddish flowers. The plant should bo prevented from seeding as the seed is so fine that it is easily spread by the wind.

Mr McGillivray states that he had seen a red clover field in Eui'ope abso: lately ruined with broom rape, which destroyed over 95 per cent, of the clover plants. He also has seen many other fields seriously damaged. He had noticed the weed in North Otago, Canterbury, and Marlborough and had been informed that it was plentiful in parts, of the Auckland province. Ho did not think it likely that infection would be introduced in dressed clover seed. The woed is an annual, and farmers should endeavour to see that it does not seed. In the free types of soil broom rape is easily pulled up, but where this cannot be done the weeds should be cut down and burnt to prevent seeding taking place.