Atsbha Gebreslasie, A. and Taye Tessema, T. and Ibrahim Hamza, I. and Nigussie, D. and etl, .
(2018)
Striga infestation and its interaction to density of
sorghum, basic chemical and physical properties of the
soil across Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia.
ISABB Journal Of Food And Agriculture, 8 (1).
pp. 1-9.
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Abstract
In Ethiopia, sorghum is the major crop next to teff grown all over the country. Though the productivity
of sorghum has increased in the last few years, the overall national productivity of sorghum is low
(2.106 t/ha) compared to the average production of 2.3 t/ha of developed countries. The low productivity
of sorghum is attributed mainly to infestation by Striga. The annual yield loss and geographic
distribution of Striga infestation in Sub-Saharan Africa is steadily increasing. The region is mainly
characterized by poor soil fertility and structure, lower distribution and intensity of rain fall. The
average yield loss of sorghum due to striga exceeds 50% and in severe cases complete cop failure can
occur forcing farmers to abandon cereal production. A survey was conducted in 2014 to determine the
interaction of Striga hermonthica infestation with basic chemical and physical properties of the soil and
to assess the association of Striga infestation and population density of sorghum in relation to Tigray
region. There was a strong association between the average Striga count and population density of
sorghum per unit area of land. Similarly, strong association was observed between Striga infestation
and soil pH, available phosphorous, percent organic matter, total nitrogen and soil texture. The
influence of soil organic matter on level of Striga infestation was observed superior to other soil
chemical and physical properties. The highest level of Striga infestation was recorded at kebeles which
had got the highest population density of sorghum, low soil organic matter and available phosphorous
and sandy textured soils. Therefore maintaining optimum population of sorghum and improving the
fertility status of the soil have been suggested for controlling of S. hermonthica in the region.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Correlation, Striga infestation, sorghum planting density, soil properties, Tigray region |
| Subjects: |
Plant Production |
| Divisions: |
UNSPECIFIED |
| Depositing User: |
Mr T L Gautham
|
| Date Deposited: |
03 Jan 2019 05:34 |
| Last Modified: |
03 Jan 2019 05:34 |
| URI: |
http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/15717 |
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