Weed Research and Information Center

Branched broomrape (Phelipanche ramosa) poses a significant challenge to processing tomato production in California. Unlike many other weeds growers manage, broomrape spends nearly 70% of its entire life cycle underground attached directly to tomato roots, before ever becoming visible. By the time shoots emerge above the soil surface, the plant has already been established belowground for weeks. Once it emerges, it can flower and produce seed within a couple of weeks.

Branched broomrape is a parasitic weed that continues to challenge processing tomato production in California. Nearly 70% of its lifecycle is completed underground; once it emerges, it can flower and set seed within just a few weeks. Current best management practice recommendations for broomrape management in conventional processing tomatoes includes a herbicide treatment regime to control early-stage broomrape at the time of root attachment and removal of emerged plants before they set seed.