Influence of soil fertility management on Striga seed bank dynamics and grain yield of sorghum in semi arid areas

Abstract: 
The parasitic weed Striga poses a serious threat to cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa. Infestation usually results in significant yield losses, quite often over 70%. Many control options have been reported but, the effect of soil fertility management on Striga seed production is not well known. Understanding Striga seed production is one of the key elements to management of this weed in Africa. Field experiments in two growing season will be conducted to determine the growth, Striga seed production and sorghum grain yield treated with different rate and source of organic and inorganic materials. The treatments will include farmyard, chicken manures, urea and triple superphosphate.
La mauvaise herbe parasite Striga constitue une menace grave pour la production des céréales en Afrique sub-saharienne. L’invasion se traduit généralement par des pertes de rendement importantes, bien souvent au-dessus de 70%. De nombreuses options de contrôle ont été signalées mais l’effet de la gestion de la fertilité des sols sur la production des graines de Striga n’est pas bien connue. Comprendre la production des graines de Striga est l’un des éléments clé de la gestion de cette mauvaise herbe en Afrique. Des expériences sur terrain durant deux saisons de croissance seront effectuées afin de déterminer la croissance, la production des graines de Striga et le rendement en grains de sorgho traités avec différents taux et source des matières organiques et inorganiques. Les traitements comprendront la basse-cour, les fumiers de poulailler, de l’urée et du superphosphate triple.
Language: 
English
Date of publication: 
2010
Region Focus: 
Africa Wide
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Access restriction: 
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
ISSN: 
E_ISSN: 
Edition: 
Extent: 
1389-1392
Notes: 
 
"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme soil science and water management".