EFFECT OF SORGHUM VARIETIES, CROPPING SYSTEM, PRIMING WITH PARKIA PULP AND SOWING DATES ON STRIGA HERMONTHICA MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Striga can do much damage to the host crop before emerging above the ground , the available control measures (cultural, mechanical, chemical and biological) can’t provide effective control and it is necessary to use a combination of these methods (integrated control) most relevant to the farming system. The objective of this study is to determined the effectiveness of seed priming, date of planting and intercropping system in Striga hermonthica control in sorghum. The experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Technology Minna. Treatments comprised of two varieties of sorghum (resistance ICSV 1002 and susceptible Gwari Local variety), three different concentrations of parkia pulp powder (0 g/l, 66g/l and 100 g/l ), soyabean variety TGX 1448-2E and two sowing dates (15 June and 21 July) in two cropping season (2012 and 2013). These were evaluated in a randomized complete block of three replicates. Data collected on Striga plant were days to first Striga emergence and Striga count per plot, on sorghum plant ,were severity score, sorghum plant height and grain yield, were collected in both years. The results showed that resistant sorghum variety significantly reduced striga attack and had higher grain yield. Parkia pulp at 66g/l concentration reduced striga attack on sorghum. Intercropping sorghum with soyabean reduced striga seed bank in the soil. Sorghum sown in July suffered less Striga attack compared to earlier sowing in June.