Witch Weeds (Striga spp.) Dissemination and Infestation in Ethiopian: Review Article

Abstract

The endemic parasitic witch weeds (Striga spp.), which are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, are progressively expanding their geographic range and degree of infection, which is significantly decreasing crop productivity. They are currently regarded as a widespread blight. The fight for economic expansion and food security is weakened by the Striga issue. Countries where Striga was only beginning to spread 25 years ago are now seeing significant annual losses in agricultural productivity. The projected yearly loss of sorghum in SSA due to Striga is 22–27%, and in Ethiopia, it is 25%. In SSA, Striga causes an annual loss of \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$7 billion in grains, of which \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$75 million is Ethiopia's portion. A significant biotic limitation and substantial danger to the production of food for subsistence in Ethiopia is Striga. The predominant species is Striga hermonthica, which is most severe in severely degraded regions of the country's north, northwest, and east, including Tigray, Wollo, Gonder, Gojjem, North Shewa, and Eastern Hararghe. Because of its wide geographic distribution and devastating effects on millions of people's livelihoods, Striga is quickly growing into a pandemic of significant proportions in the nation. Diverse sorghum germplasm may be found in Ethiopia, where there is also a chance to create Striga-resistant cultivars.