Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2015 in Berlin, Germany "Management of land use systems for enhanced food security – conflicts, controversies and resolutions"

Assessment of Level, Extent and Factors Influencing Striga Infestation of Maize in the Dry Savannahs of Nigeria

¹International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), R4D, Nigeria
²Bayero University Kano, Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Nigeria

Abstract

Infestation of maize fields by Striga species constitute a major constraint to crop productivity in the savannahs of northern Nigeria. About 50 million ha out of about 93 million ha, have been reported to be already moderately or severely infested in the country leading to severe crop losses. In order to develop effective Striga management strategies, the relationships between Striga levels and other biophysical characteristics of the crop production environment need to be properly understood. This study assessed level and extent of infestation of maize fields by Striga in Bauchi and Kano States of the Nigerian dry savannahs. It also assessed the relationship between soil properties, Striga infestation and the yields of maize. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select communities and fields in targeted Local Government Areas in the two States.
The soils in the two States were generally of low fertility, characterised by low levels of total N, organic C, available P and exchangeable bases. In Kano State, Striga incidence ranged from 0 to 100%. One hundred percent of the maize fields sampled in Bauchi State had Striga. In general, Striga population was more than twice higher in Bauchi State [3.1 plants m^-2] than in Kano State [1.4 plants m^-2]. There were differences in Striga population and severity of attacks between the States and between communities within States. In Kano State, the Striga population was negatively related to latitude, total N, and exchangeable K and was positively related to sand and silt. In Bauchi State, Striga was negatively related to clay, exchangeable K, and Ca, and was positively related to pH and latitude. In both states, the Striga population was negatively correlated with maize grain yield. Up to 75% of the variations in maize grain yield in Kano State could be explained by Striga population and soil organic C. Management of Striga usually requires several measures, however, improving the levels of soil fertility should be the central component of any integrated Striga management approach.

Keywords: Grain yield, maize, soil parameters, Striga

Contact Address: Alpha Yaya Kamara, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), R4D, 26 Dingwall Road, CR 9 3EE Ibadan, Nigeria, e-mail: A.Kamaracgiar.org