Gebisa Ejeta1, Tesfaye Tesso2, and Zenbaba Gutema2. (1) Purdue University - Agronomy Dept., Lilly Hall of Life Sciences, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054, (2) Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization, Melkassa Research Center, P.O. Box 436, Nazareth, Ethiopia
A field experiment was conducted to determine the combined effect of different Striga control methods and compare the relative efficacy of individual control options. Eight treatments consisting two levels each of three Striga control options, variety (local cultivar and Striga resistant variety), moisture conservation (flat bed and tied ridges) and soil fertility management (without and with fertilizer) were evaluated in randomized complete block design in four replications. The study was carried out at two Striga infested locations, Sirinka and Kobo, in northern Ethiopia in 2002 and 2003 main cropping seasons. Data were recorded on grain yield, Striga count and Striga vigor. Measurements on Striga count and vigor were taken in four rounds every fifteen days starting on the fifteenth day of the first emergence of Striga seedling. Significant differences were noted between the treatments for both grain yield and Striga parameters. Treatment combination that included resistant variety, fertilizer and tied ridge gave significantly higher yield followed by one that combined local variety with fertilizer and tied ridging. While the least yield was obtained from the local variety planted on flat bed without fertilizer. All treatments that consisted resistant variety invariably supported the lowest number of Striga while those consisting susceptible variety had 10 to 20 times higher infestation. The vigor of Striga plant in these treatments was inferior to those treatments that included susceptible variety. Among the factors, grain yield was more affected by chemical fertilization than by moisture conservation and variety. While only variety significantly affected Striga infestation and vigor. Both chemical fertilization and moisture conservation measures had little effect on reducing Striga infestation as compared to variety.
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