| Summary: | In this study, the effects of two-, four- and six-week periods of solarization on Phelipanche ramosa and other weeds were determined in tomato greenhouses between 2007-2009 in Aydin Province/Turkey. In the first year, the maximum temperatures recorded in the soil in the solarized area were 54 °C at a depth of 5 cm, 47 °C at 10 cm and 41 °C at 20 cm. In the second year, the maximum temperatures in the solarized area were 44.5 °C at 5 cm, 39.7 °C at 10 cm and 34.7 °C at 20 cm. In the first season, regardless of solarization time, solarization reduced the density of Amaranthus viridis, Setaria verticillata, Urtica urens, Solanum nigrum, Portulaca oleracea, Chenopodium album and Stellaria media by 99-100 %. Solarization’s effect on P. ramosa was 100 % regardless of the duration of solarization. In the second year, 2-, 4- and 6-week solarization periods, respectively, reduced A. viridis by 67, 73 and 93 %; S. verticillata by 78, 80 and 94 %; U. urens by 99, 100 and 100 %; and S. media by 100 % for all treatments. When P. ramosa was examined, a 2-week solarization period was found to result in a 20 % decrease and a 4-week solarization period resulted in a 47 % decrease. Six weeks of solarization reduced P. ramosa by 74 %. Additionally, there was an increase in tomato yield in response to longer periods of solarization.
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