Effects of Striga hermonthica on Growth of three maize cultivars

Abstract

The root parasitic weed Striga spp. Pose a genuine threat to agriculture and food security across many parts of the world. The attack economically important crop and severely reduce yield and quality. Maize, sorghum and millet, are the traditional host. Green house experiment was conducted at the College of Agricultural Studies (CAS), Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST) at Shambat, during season 2016-2017 to study the effect of Striga seedbank size on growth of three cultivars of maize (Dongla, cultivar 113 and Hudeiba 2). The experiment was designed in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Parameters recorded included number of Striga, Striga dry weight, plant height, number of leaves/plant, Leaf area and shoot dry weight. Striga emergence on all maize cultivars increased with seedbank size reached a maximum and then declined. At 75 DAS, Dongla displayed highest Striga number (5.6 plants /pot), followed by descending order by Hudeiba 2 (4.8 plants /pot). However cultivar 113 sustained the lowest Striga emergence (2.0 plants /pot). Striga dry weight, irrespective of maize cultivars increased with increasing the seedbank size. Maize height, irrespective of maize cultivars progressively decreased with increasing seedbank size (Table 4.1). The different cultivars displayed differential response to the parasite. Striga irrespective of seedbank size decreased plant height of Dongla and cultivar 113 by 19.1-28.2 and 57.6-72.2 %, respectively. Striga at seedbank size of 16 -32 mg /pot decreased number of leaves on cultivar 113 and Dongla by 13.2-35.9 and 33.3-41.0%, respectively. However, on Hudeiba 2, Striga at all seedbank size did not reduce plant height, number of leaves. Striga irrespective of seedbank size reduce leaf area and shoot dry weight on Dongla and Hudeiba 2, while Cultivar 13 significantly, did not show reduction at all Striga seedbank size.