Management of witchweed, Striga hermonthica, and stemborers in sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, through intercropping with greenleaf desmodium, Desmodium intortum

Khan, Z.R. and Midega, C.A.O. and Hassanali, A. and Pickett, J.A. and Wadhams, L.J. and Wanjoya, A. (2006) Management of witchweed, Striga hermonthica, and stemborers in sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, through intercropping with greenleaf desmodium, Desmodium intortum. International Journal of Pest Management , 52 (4). pp. 297-302.

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Abstract

On-station and on-farm studies were conducted in western Kenya to assess the potential role of greenleaf desmodium, Desmodium intortum, in a combined control strategy for witchweed, Striga hermonthica, and cereal stemborers (Chilo partellus and Busseola fusca) in sorghum, Sorghum bicolor. Treatments consisted of sorghum plots intercropped with D. intortum (intercrop), with sorghum monocrop plots (monocrop) serving as control. There were highly significant reductions in both S. hermonthica emergence (by up to 89% in the on-farm and 100% in the on-station trials) and the proportion of stemborer-damaged plants (by up to 85% in the on-farm and 67% in the on-station trials) in the intercrop compared to the monocrop in both trials during most of the study period. The sorghum plants were also significantly taller in the intercrop (by up to 88% in the on-farm and 58% in the on-station trials) than in the monocrop plots. Moreover, grain yields were significantly higher in the former (by up to 63% in the on-farm and 140% in the on-station trials) in both trials throughout the study period. These results demonstrate that intercropping sorghum with D. intortum offers an effective control of both pests, leading to higher grain yields.

Item Type: Article
Author Affiliation: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Subjects: Plant Protection > Pesticides
Plant Protection > Pests
Divisions: Sorghum
Depositing User: Mr B Krishnamurthy
Date Deposited: 09 Dec 2010 20:47
Last Modified: 29 Dec 2010 19:53
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1080/09670870600816991
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/959

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