Observations on field infection by witchweed (Striga species) on maize in West and Central Africa

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Abstract
Striga species (witchweed) are considered the greatest biological constraint upon food crop production in sub-Saharan Africa. Erratic field infestation is known to be one of the major bottlenecks to achieving progress in Striga research worldwide. This study reports observations of Striga infestations in 21 locations consisting of 12 research stations, 7 commercial farms and 2 small-scale farms in five countries of West and Central Africa. The observations were carried out for a period of two to five years between 1982 and 1994. Eighteen locations included S. hermonthica, two S. aspera and one S. asiatica . The results obtained from these observations suggests that the > continuous cropping of maize and high N application ( 120 kg ha-1) reduced Striga infestation significantly within five years. Only artificial > inoculation with a large quantity of Striga seed ( 3000 germinable < seeds per maize plant), low N application ( 30 kg ha-1) and ridge slowing sustained high Striga infestation. Apparently, low N application and a sorghum dominated farming system was a major cause of high Striga infestation in West and Central Africa.

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