Intercropping with fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) enhanced seed yield and reduced Orobanche foetida infestation in faba bean (Vicia faba)

Orobanche foetida is a devastating weed parasitising faba bean crops in Tunisia. Several methods have been used for controlling this parasite, but without much success. In this study, the effect of intercropping with fenugreek on O. foetida infestation and faba bean production was studied. Results showed a significant reduction in O. foetida infestation in the susceptible (Badi) and resistant (Najeh) faba bean cultivars when intercropped with fenugreek in field, pot and petri dish experiments. This reduction appeared to be related to reduced seed germination and low numbers of underground Orobanche attachments, which may have been as a result of allelochemicals released by fenugreek roots, though this was not confirmed in this study. Intercropping with fenugreek also resulted in a significant increase in the shoot dry weight and seed yield especially in the resistant cultivar Najeh. These results attest that intercropping with fenugreek can be used in an integrated strategy management to reduce broomrape infestation.