By Jessica Domel
Field Editor
An invasive plant with nearly microscopic seeds could cause big problems for farmers in the southern part of the state.
The plant, branched broomrape, is a noxious, parasitic weed that can attach itself to a wide array of crops, stealing its water and nutrients.
“This is unlike any other invasive plant we see around,” Dr. Muthu Bagavathiannan, chair of the Broomrape Task Force, said.
Branched broomrape was first found in Texas in the Karnes County area in the 1980s. A few years later, the weed was documented in over 1,000 acres in the area.
To combat its spread, the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service then created a coordinated control and eradication program for the plant.
When funding for the program was discontinued in 2008, the monitoring and control efforts designed to keep the weed in check ended.
Now, seven years later, the threat is back.
Texas Farm Bureau District 12 State Director Zack Yanta of Runge was the first to report the reappearance of the weed to AgriLife Extension. He noticed it while visiting a cemetery on Easter Sunday and remembered the problems with the plant in the ’80s.
“We had a drought for so long that nobody paid attention,” Yanta said. “We had a wet spring, and we had good conditions for it to germinate. So it reared its ugly head again. It can threaten the vegetable industry big time.”
Finding branched broomrape in Karnes County threatens the vegetable industry in the Winter Garden area because the weed and its seeds can be easily spread through equipment. Once there, the weed could leech important nutrients from crops such as tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, onions and more.
“It’s something people need to pay attention to and be on alert for next spring and early summer,” Yanta said.
In South Texas, branched broomrape germinates from December to February. They emerge during March and April. The plants’ first flowers will appear just three days after the plant emerges. Thousands of mature seeds will follow 14 days later.
“It has tiny seeds—almost dust-like,” Dr. Bagavathiannan said.
Not only are they nearly microscopic, the seeds can also live in the soil for up to 10 years, threatening future crops.
“You have to be really quick when you’re looking at management options,” Dr. Bagavathiannan said.
Texans who find the distinguishing white and yellow plants are encouraged to call their local AgriLife office to report it. Due to the small nature of the plant’s seeds and the likelihood of spreading them, people are asked to refrain from pulling or picking the plants.
Additional information about branched broomrape, as well as photos of the plant, can be found at http://bit.ly/BroomrapeWeed.