Infestation of cereals and cowpeas by Striga species constitute a major constraint to increased crop pro-ductivity in the savannas of northern Nigeria. Field surveys were undertaken in Jigawa State, Nigeria in2012 to assess (i) the level and extent of Strgia infestation of cereal and cowpea fields (ii) the severity ofStriga attack on crops and (iii) to determine the factors associated with Striga infestation of crop fields.The study was conducted in 48 communities. Eight farmer’s fields were sampled in each communityalong two intersecting transects. Striga hermonthica incidence ranged from 58 to 100% in sorghum fieldsand from 0 to 100% in millet fields. In sorghum and millet fields, number of emerged Striga plants rangedfrom 4750 to 431,500 and 0 to 251,750 plants ha?1respectively. For cowpea, S. gesnerioides populationranged from 1625 to 105,375 plants ha?1. The severity of Striga attack on sorghum was devastating in allthe communities studied. Except in a few cases, all cowpea plants in fields surveyed in most communi-ties were attacked by S. gesnerioides. Field infestation was largely related to poor soil fertility. Stepwisemultiple regression identified latitude, pH, available P, Cu and exchangeable K as potentially most impor-tant in explaining observed variations in S. hermonthica infestation in sorghum fields. For millet fields,soil pH, available P, Zn and latitude accounted for most of the variations in Striga population whereaslatitude, total N, organic C, exchangeable Ca, ECEC, pH, available Mn and Cu accounted for most of theobserved variations in S. gesnerioides population in cowpea fields. Our study showed that Striga is a majorproblem in Jigawa State with almost all the cowpea, sorghum and millet fields infested with the para-site. Improved soil fertility management technologies and Striga-resistant crop varieties are needed toaddress the menace of Striga in the State.

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.02.027

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https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.02.027

Pests Of Plants

Striga; Sorghum; Millet; Cowpeas; Soil Properties

Africa; West Africa

Nigeria

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment