Management of Striga (Striga hermonthica) in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in Jeldu District

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted from 2017 to 2018 to determine the chemical herbicides which can best perform against Striga in sorghum fields of Jeldu district, West Shoa Zone. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Result obtained indicted that, sorghum plant height, stock biomass, grain yield and thousand seed weight showed significantly different (P<0.05) among treatments. The highest mean plant height (240.92 cm), stock biomass (13967 kg/ha), grain yield (886.2 kg/ha) and thousand seed weight (24.3 g) were recorded from the sequential application of Metalachlor 960 EC + 2, 4-D as compared to weedy check. The lowest Striga height (31.917 cm) was recorded from sequential application of Metalachlor 960 EC + 2, 4-D. Similarly the lowest Striga biomass were recorded from farmers practice  followed by kerosene (for seed dressing) and sequential application of Metalachlor 960 EC + 2, 4-D. Therefore, sequential application of Metalachlor 960 EC + 2, 4-D is recommended as one component of integrated Striga management in sorghum field.

Keywords: Sorghum bicolor L, Striga hermonthica, Dual gold and 2, 4-D

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-16-03

Publication date:August 31^st 2020