Striga hermonthica on sorghum in East Africa

Abstract

Two sorghum varieties, Dobbs and Bukura Mahemba, were grown in Tanganyika over a wide range of sites, seasons and naturally occurring levels of Striga infestation. Dobbs showed good Striga resistance relative to Bukura Mahemba: In Dobbs there were 9% of the number of witchweed plants above ground as against Bukura Mahemba. (3200 to 37,200 Striga plants per acre): The grain yield of Bukura Mahemba (845 lb./acre) was adversely affected by the Striga. That of Dobbs (1325 lb./acre) was not.