Response of Striga hermonthica seeds to different germination stimulants produced by ten Soyabean, Cowpea and Groundnut varieties

Abstract

Sirlga hcrmonthlca (Del.) Denth. Is a parasite on core a! and a limiting factor in achieving optimum yield In Infested areas In Sub-Saharan Africa. The parasite seeds are stimulated to germinate by root exudates from host and non-host plants as well as by synthetic germination stimulants. However, legume cultlvars vary In their ability to stimulate germination of S. hcrmonthlca seed of same or different populations. Objectives of this experiments was to determine by laboratory cut roots assays often soyabean, cowpea and groundnut differences in their ability to stimulate germination of S. hcrmonthlca seeds. However, the varieties of the three trap crops used exhibited significant differences for their ability to stimulate the germination of Sirlga hcrmonthlca seeds, Relative germination percentage was higher in soyabean variety TGX I44H-2E, cowpea variety IT04K-217-5 and groundnut variety RMP-91. The controls (GR-24 and water) recorded the highest and lowest germination percentages. The results obtained for the different legume varieties screened suggested that there is need to determine the inherent genetic dijferences among these varieties used in this study so that breeding could be done for increased stimulant production.