home icon user icon
Welcome to International Network for Natural Sciences | INNS Pub.
Home My Account
Submit Manuscript
double_slash
breadcumb_bg

Integrating striga resistant maize and spatial arrangement of intercropped cowpea in the control of Striga asiatica

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/12/2015
Views (308) Download (19)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Integrating striga resistant maize and spatial arrangement of intercropped cowpea in the control of Striga asiatica

B. Abdallah, H.M. Saha, M.K. Tsanuo
Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res.7( 6), 25-33, December 2015.
Certificate: IJAAR 2015 [Generate Certificate]
Key: Spatial arrangementStriga asiaticaStriga resistant maize varietiesZea mays

Abstract

Infestation of maize fields by Striga asiatica in coastal Kenya is increasing due to continuous mono-cropping of cereals without replenishment of soil nutrients, hence reducing land productivity. This may therefore lead to food insecurity if a viable solution is not found. A study was conducted to determine if integrating striga resistant maize and cowpea spatial arrangement could offer an effective solution to the striga problem. The study was conducted at KALRO Matuga in 2012 and 2013. A randomized complete block design, with three replications, was used. Maize varieties differed significantly in their stover yield in 2013 LR seasons but the varieties did not show any significant effect on striga stand counts in both seasons. Spatial arrangement of intercropped cowpea significantly influenced maize grain and stover yields in 2013 LR season. Maize variety V2 showed some tolerance to striga weed. This variety is therefore recommended for multi-locational evaluation under the National Performance Trials (NPTs) to ascertain its superiority to the current commercial maize varieties (Coast Maize Composite, Pwani Hybrid 1 and Pwani Hybrid 4). Within row spatial arrangement of intercropped cowpea gave higher maize yields than the between row arrangement. Farmers are therefore likely to realize improved maize yields by adopting the within row spatial arrangement of intercropped cowpea.

VIEWS 14
Cover PDF

Berner DK, Winslow MD, Awad AE, Cardwell KF, Mohan Raj DR, Kim SK. 1997. Striga Research Methods-A manual. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria. 22- 24.

Carsky RJ, Singh L, Ndikawa R. 1994. Suppression of Striga hermonthica on Sorghum Using a Cowpea Intercrop. Experimental Agriculture 30, 349- 358.

Ejeta G. 2007. Breeding for Resistance in Sorghum: Exploitation of an Intricate Host-Parasite Biology. Crop Science 47, 216- 227.

Elzein A, Kroschel J. 2003. Progress on management of parasitic weeds. In: Labrada, E, Ed. Weed management for countries. FAO, Rome, Italy.

Frankow-Lindberg  BE,  Dahlin  AS.  2013.  N2 fixation, N transfer, and yield in grassland communities including a deep-rooted legume or non-legume species. Plant and Soil 370, 567- 581.

Fujita K, Ofosu-Budu KG, Ogata S. 1992. Biological nitrogen fixation in mixed legume-cereal cropping systems. Biological Nitrogen Fixation for Sustainable Agriculture Developments. Plant and Soil Sciences 49, 155- 175.

Gethi JG, Smith ME, Kresovich S, Mitchell S. 2005. Genetic diversity of Striga hermonthica and Striga asiatica populations in Kenya. Weed Research 45, 64- 73.

Hanegraaf M. 1987. Nitrogen transfer from legumes. In: Pasiecznik N., Florin M. Folz H. Eds. Integrated nutrient supply. ILEIA Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 1, AgriCultures Network, Junushoff, the Netherlands.

Khan ZR, Midega CAO, Hassanali A, Pickett JA, Wadhams LJ. 2007. Assessment of different legumes for the control of Striga hermonthica in maize and sorghum. Crop Sci 47, 730- 736.

Malcom CP, Gurney AC. 2000. Plants eat plant: Sap feeding witch weed and other parasitic angiosperms. Biologist 47, 1066- 1070.

Mohamed A, Ellicott A, Housley TL, Ejeta G. 2003. Hypersensitive response to striga infection in sorghum. Crop Science 43, 1320- 1324.

Olupot JR. 2011. Genetic Analysis of Striga hermonthica Resistance in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) genotypes in Eastern Uganda. PhD thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Ransom JK, Eplee RE, Langston MA, Norris RE. 1990. Methodology for establishing witch weed (Striga asiatica) in research plots. Weed Technology 4, 581- 584.

Rich PJ, Grenier C, Ejeta G. 2004. Striga resistance in the wild relatives of sorghum. Crop Science 44, 2221- 2229.

Saha HM. 2015. Resource use under maize-green manure legume intercropping systems. LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 69- 83.

Saha HM, Kamau GM, Masha JS, Mwangondi Z, Gassare AA, Murage ET, Ndungu GK, Marwanga W, Grisley W. 1993. Farming systems in the Agro-ecological Zones CL3 (Malindi Division) CL4 (Ganze Division) CL5 (Kaloleni Division) of Kilifi District, Coast Province. MOALDM and KARI. Kenya Farming Systems Series No 3.

Tenebe VA, Petu-Ibikunle AM. 2012. Manageable agronomic practices in organic production of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in a mixed culture with sorghum. Journal of Crop Production 1, 12- 18.

Submit Manuscript