Management Of Witchweed (Striga Hermonthica (Del.) Benth) In Pearl Millet (Pennisetum Glaucum L.) R.Br. With Organic Soil Amendments Sourced From Neem Tree (Azadirachta Indica A. Juss.)

📄 Project Abstract

This research was conducted in order to investigate the potentials of managing Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth., the noxious parasitic weed of cereal crops, with soil amendments derived from fruits of neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.). Effects of amending Striga-infested plots with the neem treatments (at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 kg/m2) on emergence and biomass accumulation in S. hermonthica, on the germination, growth and grain yield of pearl millet grown on Striga-infested plots and on soil physico-chemical properties (short term effects) were investigated. Experiments were conducted using randomized block design with 4-5 replications, under field conditions at five locations in Katsina (13 degrees 47;N & 7 degrees 08'), Nigeria, during the 2001, 2002 and 2003 rainy seasons. Long term effects of neem residues on soil physico-chemical properties, and on the growth and grain yield of millet (Pennisetum glaucum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) (two common hosts of Striga he...