Association of Striga Infestation to Basic Chemical and Physical Properties of the Soil in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

A survey was conducted in 2014 to determine the association of striga with major chemical and physical properties of the soil. Similarly, strong association was observed between striga infestation and soil pH (r(22)=-0.213, P<0.05), available phosphorous (r(22) =-0.408, P<0.05), percent organic matter (r(22) =-0.917, P<0.05), total nitrogen (r(22)=-0.097, P>0.05) and soil texture . The influence of soil organic matter on level of striga infestation was observed superior (84%) to other soil chemical and physical properties. In conclusion, the highest level of striga infestation was recorded at kebeles which had got low soil organic matter and available phosphorous and sandy textured soils. Therefore management practices channeled towards improving these limitations have been suggested for controlling of Striga hermonthica in the region.

Keywords: striga infestation, sorghum population, soil properties, correlation, Tigray region