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.