Fusarium Rot of Orobanche ramosa Parasitizing Tobacco in Southern Italy

Abstract

In tobacco crops grown in the province of Caserta (southern Italy), we noted, for the first time in Italy, very many broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) plants exhibiting mycosis caused by a strain of Fusarium oxysporum that is not pathogenic to tobacco. After a brief description of the symptoms of the disease and its incidence in the field, we discuss, on the basis of the observations made and the data supplied by the literature, the feasibility of using this fungus in programmes to control Orobanche.