Variability of Ten Soyabean, Cowpea and Groundnut Varieties on Striga (Striga hermonthica) suicidal Germination in Niger State Nigeria

Abstract

The exploitation of imp crops constitutes an effective and less cosily method of Striga (Striga hennonthica) management. Trap crops may he used in cropping systems io deplete Striga seed hanl< In farmers’ fields. Thus, /his study was designed to screen 10 genotypes each of soybean, groundnut and cow pea as trap crops for Striga; the potential ability of their root exudates to stimulate germination of Striga seed was evaluated. The results indicate that soyabean varieties TUX 1019-2Eft and TGX1448-2E delayed Striga emergence in 2013 and 2014, respectively compared to other varieties. In the results of the Striga count, plant height and grain yield, Soyabean variety TGX 144S-2E generally performed better than other varieties. Cowpea varieties 1T04K-339-1 and 1T07K-25-3-3 delayed Striga emergence in 2013 and 2014 respectively, while in Striga count and plant height, cowpea variety 1T04K-217-5 performed better than other varieties but higher grain yield was recorded in cowpea variety 1T04K-339-1 compared to other varieties. Groundnut varieties TES, Qli 243C, RMP-12 and RMP-91 delayed Striga emergence compared to other varieties in 2014. Groundnut variety 11MP-91 performed better in Striga count, plant height and grain yield in both planting years 2013 and 2014 compared to other varieties.