IPM in this context is Integrated Pest Management.  I don't think 2,4-D or 2,4,5-T would be safe to use on tobacco and would likely cause too much injury.

Thank you, these herbicides are surely phytotoxic on tobacco, since the parasitic weed attaches to the stem we tried to prick out but it would be difficult to remove the haustoria without damaging the plant, thereby creating a wound for other secondary infections.

Here are some resources that may help.  The first article listed (cjps86-059.pdf ) recommends soil sterilization with methyl bromide (likely not an option anymore) and other chemicals.  The second article listed (317-627-1-SM.pdf) has some herbicide recommendations starting on  page 135.  The internet link also has herbicide recommendations.

http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/19682302107.html?resultNumber=46&start=40&q=dodder+tobacco

Many thanks Dr Mahoney, I will go through them. 

Interesting discovery....

I however confess ignorence to the fact that Cascuta spp infest N. tabacum... I would apreciate  if the discussants could enlighten on the following areas

• Biology and ecology of the weed... with emphasis on its life cycle, how it attaches to the host, susceptible crop growth stage and the mechanism of parasitism...

Notwithstanding my shallow knowlldge of the weed, I also disagree with the notion that 2,4-D/ 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid are viable options, considerring susceptibility of tobacco to these active ingredients.....

I am of the view that breeding for resistance coold be a more pragmatic aproach... It however needs to be acompanied by parallel  work on molecular characterization of biotypes of the weed and possibly rate of mutation so taht you could forecast possibillity of resistance development by the weed in the long run....

This will be an interesting area of study !!!

Fungai - the document called "317-627-1-SM.pdf" above is a literature review article called "Biology and management of Cuscuta in crops" and appears to have the discussion items of interest to you.

Thank You Dr Mahoney.... I will go through it....

Dear Champman,

In our Indian situation we are following below mentioned strategies to control the orobanche and also found effective and you can follow whichever is cheap and easier for you.  

Integrated weed management in Orobanche

Preventive, Physical and cultural methods

• Use of clean seeds

• Deep ploughing

• Soil solarization with 0.05 mm thick white polyethylene sheets

• Flooding of field during germination of parasite

• Physical removal and burning

• Application of mineral oils

• Growing trap crops like cowpea, green gram etc.

• Growing suitable intercropping

Chemical management

• Soil application of analogue of strigol

• Pre-emergence herbicides

• Use of Ammonical or urea based fertilizers

• Application of Glyphosate at 0.1 to 0.2 % during 50-55 DAP

• Neem cake (150-200 kg ha-1) in rows

• Soil drenching with 5 % copper sulphate between 45 to 55 DAP

Biological methods

• Agromyzid shoot borer

• Fusarium specific to broom rape

Biotechnological measures

Developing Glyphosate resistant lines of host crops

Thank you

Dear Dr Sunil

Many thanks for the wide range of control methods, I'm sure these will go a long way in mitigating the weed problem in an IWM program.

Parasitic weeds are problematic and the other challenge is the prevention of seed dissemination and soil contamination leading to new infestations.

Regards

Chapman

Please take a look at this useful RG link.

Article Field dodder – How to control it?