Possibilities for control ofStriga hermonthicain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) using neem (Azadiractha indica) and parkia (Parkia biglobosa)-based products

Abstract

Striga hermonthica is a major threat to cereal production in Nigeria. Management approaches for control of Striga are generally based on cultural control strategies and host plant resistance. The use of plant products for the control of S. hermonthica is limited. Seed and leaf powders of neem and fruit and fruit peel powders of parkia trees were evaluated under screenhouse and field conditions in the Nigerian Savanna. Screenhouse evaluation of the plant materials showed that neem seed powder was the most effective, with only 16.5% of Striga emergence. This was followed by parkia fruit powder and parkia fruit peel powder, with 29.1% and 38.8% Striga emergence respectively. In the field, all plant materials significantly reduced Striga emergence. The lowest number of emerged Striga plants was observed on plots treated with neem seed powder (with 1.7 emerged Striga per 3m 2 while the control plots had 30.3 emerged Striga plants per 3m 2 ). Crop plants treated with neem seed powder did not show any reaction to Striga infestation, while parkia fruit powder and parkia fruit peel powder had reaction scores of 1.7 and 2.0 respectively when compared to neem leaf powder with 3.0 and the control with 4.7. Treatment by all the plant products however, significantly increased grain yield, which was highest in the treatment with neem seed powder. Our results highlight the possibilities of using these plant products for the control of S. hermonthica.

Host specificity of Fusarium oxysporum Schlect (isolate PSM 197), a potential mycoherbicide for controlling Striga spp. in West Africa

“…The improved growth and development of the host crop in the presence of the fungus indicates that the use of F. oxysporum (PSM 197) can be beneficial to the crop. Marley et al. (2004b,c) have established the field efficacy of F. oxysporum (PSM 197) as increasing sorghum yields nearly 50%, especially when used in combination with Striga ‐resistant host crops.…”

“…A mixture of 2 kg of sandy loam soil and 10 g of Striga or Alectra seed–sand mixture was then spread evenly on top of the remaining 2 kg of sandy loam soil in each pot and pre‐irrigated. This technique ensured that each pot contained 1.25 × 10 4 of Striga or Alectra seed, equivalent to 0.125 g Striga or Alectra seed kg −1 of sand (Marley et al. , 1999, 2004c; Linke & Kroschel, 2001).…”

Ecological weed management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Prospects and implications on other agroecosystem services

“…Neem (Azadirachta indica) seed powder and parkia (Parkia biglobosa) fruit powder or fruit peel powder effectively reduced S. hermonthica germination and growth in sorghum (17%, 29% and 39% striga emergence, respectively), with positive effects on crop grain yield (Marley et al, 2004b).…”

Wirkung von Neem-Produkten auf höhere Pflanzen und ihre mögliche Nutzung zur Reduzierung der Seitentriebe von Kulturpflanzen sowie zur Unkrautbekämpfung – eine Bestandsaufnahme

“…Benth. war im Gewächshaus und Freiland möglich, wenn Pulver aus Neem-Blättern und -Kernen benutzt wurde (Marley et al 2004). Allerdings wurde das Unkraut dabei nicht abgetötet.…”