Fusarium Striga hermonthica in Maize (Zea mays L.) in the Savanna

Field trials were conducted in 2007/2008 wet season at the Teaching and Research Farm of University of Agriculture, Makurdi (7914: 893710) and the model extension village, Danka-Sarki, Lafia ( 8 9 3 and 7931110) in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria, to evaluate the efficacy of a granular mycoherbicide formulation of Fusarium sp. for the control of Striga hermonthica in maize. Two maize variehes (Farmers’ local and Across 97 TZL Comp 1-٦77) and four treatments, F. oxysporum followed by (1) 2, 4-D; F. oxysporum fb Supplementary Hoe Weeding (SHW); F. oxysporum fb triclopyr and a control (No F. oxysporum, but hoe weeded) were laid in a split-plot design with three replicahons. The two maize variehes formed the main plot treatments while, the Striga control methods were the sub-plots treatments (2 g of mycoherbicide applied pre-sowing in each planting hole). Generally, number of maize plants infected and Striga shoot count, was highest with Hoe Weeded check throughout the period of observations. The farmers’ variety recorded higher plants infected and Striga shoot count than c v Across 97 TZL Comp l-w throughout the period of observahon in this trial, while, higher Striga infestation was observed in Makurdi than in Lafia. The use of F. oxysporum fb either Post Emergence (POE) triclopyr or 2, 4-D each at 0.36 kg a.i ha,! resulted in significantly lower Striga infestahon consequently higher maize grain yield than those fb SHW or Hoe Weeded check.