Sustainable Control of Striga Hermonthica in Maize (Zea Mays L.) By the Use of Parkia Biglobosa Based Products and Post-emergence Herbicides

Two trials were conducted in 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons with the principal objective of assessing the effects of maize seeds with Parkia (Parkia biglobosa) fruit and seed powder Pre-sowing treatment and post-emergence application of herbicides in the control of Striga hermonthica in the Nigerian Savanna. Three Striga control methods consisting of post-emergence (POE) Triclopyr, 2, 4-D (each at the rate of 0.36 kg a.i/ha) and a hoe-weeded check at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) formed the main plot treatment, while the maize seed soaking (Soaking for 20 minutes in Parkia fruit powder suspension, Parkia seed powder suspension and distilled water as control) were the sub-plot treatments, respectively. The experiments were laid out in a split-plot design with three replications in the two locations. Maize seeds soaked in distilled water initiated early emergence of Striga by 36 days after sowing (DAS), as compared to those soaked in Parkia fruit and seed powder suspensions by 50 and 45 DAS, respectively. Generally, the number of maize plants infested with Striga was higher in 2008 and at Lafia. Maize seeds soaked for 20 minutes before planting in Parkia based products suspension (fruit and seed powder) resulted in significantly fewer number of maize plants infected with Striga/shoot count as compared to those soaked in distilled water (check). Similarly, post- emergence (POE) application of either Triclopyr or 2, 4-D at the rate of 0.36 kg a.i/ha each resulted in fewer number of maize plants infected/shoot count of Striga as compared to the hoe-weeded check. All treatments that received Parkia based products significantly increased maize grain yield than the distilled water soaking; while the Striga control methods differed significantly in terms of maize grain yield, following the order hoe-weeded check <POE 2,4-D <POE Triclopyr. Parkia trees are abundant in the Savanna, and thus their fruits can easily be procured. Therefore, the use of Parkia based products (especially the fruit powder suspension) in combination with POE application of either Triclopyr or 2, 4-D under a field condition can result in good suppression of the parasite with subsequent increase in maize grain yield.