Drought-tolerant Desmodium species effectively suppress parasitic striga weed and improve cereal grain yields in western Kenya
Study carried out to identify and characterise new plants able to protect crops against striga under dry conditions
Abstract
The parasitic weed Striga hermonthica, commonly known as striga, is an increasingly important constraint to cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), often resulting in total yield losses in maize and substantial losses in sorghum, a state of affairs that is further aggravated by soil degradation and drought. Forage legumes in the genus Desmodium effectively control striga and improve crop productivity in SSA (for example the Push–Pull Integrated Pest Management Technology); however, climate change effects (such as drought stress) are affecting the functioning of these systems.
The study was carried out to identify and characterise new plants able to protect crops against striga under dry conditions. Two species suppressed striga infestation, both under controlled and field conditions, and resulted in significant grain yield increases, which demonstrates the beneficial effects of Desmodium species in enhancing cereal productivity in dry areas.
This output is from the ‘Scaling-Up and Dissemination of Climate Resilient Push-Pull Pest and Weed Control Technology, within the Integrated Biological Control Applied Research Programme - IBCARP. It was partly funded by the UK Department for International Development, a core donor of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
Citation
Midega C.A.O., Wasonga C.J., Hooper A.M., Pickett J.A. and Khan Z.R. (2017) Drought-tolerant Desmodium species effectively suppress parasitic striga weed and improve cereal grain yields in western Kenya. Crop Protection 98, 94–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2017.03.018