Assessment of the biocontrol agent Fusarium oxysporum for controlling Phelipanche ramosa in tobacco fields (English shop)

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Eva Kohlschmid’s dissertation investigates the potential of the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum as a biological control agent against Phelipanche ramosa (branched broomrape), a parasitic weed affecting tobacco cultivation. This root parasite poses a serious threat to agricultural production by extracting water and nutrients from its host plants, potentially causing substantial yield losses. Conventional control methods are often limited by the parasite’s complex life cycle, its close physiological relationship with the host plant, and the persistence of its seeds in agricultural soils.

The research focuses on a newly isolated German strain of Fusarium oxysporum and evaluates its effectiveness and host specificity under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. Particular attention is given to the fungus’s effects on different developmental stages of Phelipanche ramosa, including seed germination, underground tubercles, and aboveground shoots. The study also examines fungal formulations, application techniques, and the potential benefits of combining biological control with chemically induced plant resistance. Furthermore, molecular identification methods are used to monitor the fungal strain following field application and assess its environmental behavior. The dissertation provides valuable insights into the opportunities and limitations of fungal biological control and contributes to the development of more sustainable weed management strategies in tobacco production.