INTERACTION EFFECT OF SELECTED TRAP CROPS ACCESSIONS ON GERMINATION AND ATTACHMENT OF STRIGA HERMONTHICA (DEL.) BENTH.ON SORGHUM (SORGHUM BICOLOR)

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the ability of ten soyabeans genotype, cowpea genotype and groundnut genotype each for their ability to stimulate Striga suicidal germination in 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons. The experiment was conducted in 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons at Federal University of Technology Minna GidanKwano Research farm in polybags. It was 3 x 10 x 2 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design. Factor A consists of Striga seed at three levels inoculation rate (0, 2.5 and 5g) mixed with 20g of sterilize soil respectively. Factor B was three trap crops, 10 varieties each. Factor C was sorghum variety consisting of resistance (ICSV1002) and susceptible (Local) varieties. All the treatments were replicated five times. Results of the interaction effects indicate that soyabeans varieties TGX 1448-2E and TGX 1019-2E performed best in fewer Striga count, higher plant height and grain yield compared to other treatments. Cowpea varieties IT07K-333-2, IT07K-25-3-3, IT04K-217-5, IT04K-339-1 performed best in fewer Striga count, higher plant height and grain yield compared to other treatments. Groundnut varieties RMP- 91 and RMP- 12 performed best in fewer Striga count, higher plant height and grain yield compared to other treatments. The three trap crops (soyabean, cowpea and groundnut) evaluated in the screen house were generally good in inducing germination of S. hermonthica seeds, they caused low Striga emergence and attachment and increased plant height and grain yield. This shows that integrating these legumes could help depressed the capacity of increasing the Striga seed bank.