Effects of Inter-cropping and a Herbicide on Management of Striga hermonthica on Sorghum
Mazen Ahmed Abdalroof
College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Sudan
Amani Hamad Eltayeb
College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Sudan
Rashida M. A. Abusin *
Pests and Plant Health, College of Agriculture, University of Bahri, Khartoum North, Sudan
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The present work was undertaken to determine the effects of the herbicide chlorsulfuron and intercropping sorghum (cv.Wad-Ahmed) with cowpea (T100K-901-6 cv.) on S. hermonthica incidence and sorghum growth.
Study Design: Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates.
Place and Duration of Study: A series of laboratory and greenhouse experiments was undertaken at the College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST) at Shambat, during the season 2013/2014.
Methodology: Striga free or infested soil was placed in plastic pots (9 cm i .d) with perforations at the bottoms. Pots filled with Striga free soil (0 mg) were included as control for comparison. Sorghum cultivar Wad-Ahmed was sown as sole crop or intercropped with cowpea. Chlorsulfuron at 1.3 g active ingredient (a.i)/fed was applied three weeks after sowing. Plant height and Stem diameter were measured in centimetres using a ruler and vernier caliper instrument, respectively, while weight was weighed in gram after drying using a balance.
Results: At 60 and 75 days after sowing (DAS), irrespective of Striga seed bank size, cowpea intercropped with sorghum displayed significant reduction in stem diameter (19.0-56.7%). Sorghum intercropped with cowpea at Striga seed bank size of 16 mg/pot resulted in a significant reduction in sorghum dry weight (61.6%). However, at 60 and 75 DAS displayed a significant reduction in sorghum height only at the seed bank size of 16 mg/pot. Chlorsulfuron applied to Sole sorghum at Striga seed bank size of 16 mg/pot reduced sorghum dry weight by 51.9%. Sorghum intercropped with cowpea and subsequently treated with chlorsulfuron at Striga seed bank size of 16 mg/pot decreased sorghum height significantly (20.8 – 29.5%). Sorghum intercropped with cowpea and subsequently treated with chlorsulfuron, irrespective of Striga seed bank size, reduced sorghum dry weight (28.1- 47.6%).
Conclusion: According to this study, Striga management requires integrated practices comprising different components. Intercropping sorghum with cowpea reduced Striga emergence. Chlorsulfuron effectively reduced germination and suppressed Striga emergence.
Keywords: Chlorsulfuron, cowpea, intercropping, sorghum, Striga