Sunflower Genotype Reactions to Orobanche Cumana under Natural Infestation in Brăila County, Romania

Florin Gabriel Anton¹, Maria Joița-Păcureanu^1,2, Luxița Rîșnoveanu^3,4,
Mihaela Cergan¹, Laura Conțescu¹, Sabina Pintilia¹

¹National Agricultural Research-Development Institute Fundulea
²Center of Study and Research for Agroforestry Biodiversity
“Acad. David Davidescu”, Buchares
³University Economic Studies of Bucharest
⁴Agricultural Research Development Station Brăila

Keywords: sunflower, hybrids, broomrape.

Abstract: In countries around the Black Sea area, such Turkey, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania the the most virulent races of sunflower broomrape are present. In this paper we studied the behavior of some sunflower genotypes under natural field infested with parasitic plant Orobanche cumana Wallr, in Brăila County during the years, 2024 and 2025. Attack frequency (F) in year 2024 ranged from 0% in sunflower hybrids FD22CLP32 to 100% in the hybrids FD22CLP64 and HS1122C as well as in old variety Record. In 2025, attack frequency (F) ranged from 13.6% in FD22CLP64 to 100% in hybrid HS1122C and old variety Record. The attack intensity (I) in year 2024 where between 0% at sunflower hybrids FD22CLP32 and FD22CLP64 and 5.75% at old variety Record. Attack intensity (I) in year 2025 ranged from 0.13% in hybrid FD22CLP64 to 1.06% in hybrid FD22CLP32.