Dodder and its control

Abstract

Dodder (Cuscuta spp.) is the most wide-spread parasitic plant in our regions. Over the past several years it has increasingly expanded. Apart from growing in alfalfa and red clover as its main host crops, it is now beginning to pose a growing threat to the other crops, as well. About ten dodder species had been determined in Serbia in the past, but they have been out of focus of detailed research in the past three decades. Two dodder species have been identified as important: the small-seeded (Cuscuta trifoli Bab.), and large-seeded (C. campestris Yuncker). They differ in many respects, including the loci of binding to their host-plants. Methods of controlling dodder include preventive measures, and mechanical and chemical control.

Vilina kosica (Cuscuta spp.) je najrasprostranjenija parazitska biljka na našim prostorima. Poslednjih godina primećena je njena ekspanzija, a pored lucerke i deteline, kao njenih osnovnih domaćina, počinje da ugrožava i druge gajene biljke. Zakonska regulativa, kojom se sprečava širenje viline kosice semenom, nedovoljno se poštuje. U zaštiti useva se ne poklanja dovoljno pažnje borbi protiv viline kosice, ruderalna staništa oko naših njiva su izrazito zakorovljena i pravi su rasadnik ovog parazita, te ovakvo stanje izaziva sve veće probleme. Najefikasniji način borbe sa vilinom kosicom je sprečavanje njenog unošenja u useve, ali kada se ona javi, primena herbicida može dati zadovoljavajuće rezultate.