Effect of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth on Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids in Western Kenya

Abstract

Striga hermonthica (Striga) weed is widespread in Kenya, where it causes significant cereal crop losses, particularly when susceptible varieties are grown. The use of maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes that support reduced Striga hermonthica emergence can form an important basis for developing resistant cultivars. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of diverse maize hybrids to Striga weed infestation and to identify high yielding and stable hybrids. Six experimental maize hybrids and three commercial hybrid checks (DK8031, PhB3253 and H513) were evaluated under Striga and Striga free conditions at Nyahera and Maseno in western Kenya in 2011 and 2012 growing seasons. The data collected included grain yields and other yield components; emerged Striga counts and Striga damage rating (on a scale of 1-5) at 8 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP). Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in grain yield and yield components; emerged Striga counts and Striga damage syndrome in both years. Negative correlation (r) was observed between emerged Striga and yield as well as between Striga damage ratings and yield. Maseno experimental hybrids produced much better grain yields and were more stable compared to commercial varieties under Striga infestation and in Striga free fields. Deployment of the tolerant/resistant high yielding well adapted hybrids coupled with other management options such as rotation with legumes and cultural practices could possibly help in depletion of Striga seed bank in the soils in western Kenya. EH12 and EH14 maize hybrids were formally released for commercialization in the Striga endemic areas of western Kenya.

Effectiveness of Imazapyr Coated Hybrids and Selected Striga-tolerant Varieties on &lt;i&gt;S. hermonthica&lt;/i&gt; Management and Maize Yield Performance in Western Part of Kenya

“…This shows that the low grain yields obtained in commercial susceptible varieties can be linked to effects of striga damages. Similarly, results showed that in areas where fewer striga shoots were attached to grain yield was high [27]. Low grain yield observed in Rangwe despite fewer striga shoots density was possibly linked to other factors such as low inherent soil fertility.…”

Response of selected sorghum (sorghum bicolor (l.) moench) genotypes to striga hermonthica (del.) benth in western Kenya

“…Nyahera lies at a longitude of 34°53.452′E, latitude of 0°35.977′N, and an altitude of 1490 m with an average annual rainfall of 1650 mm per annum. The soils are classified as ferralic with a pH of 5.9 (Mbogo et al, 2016). Kadel is found at a longitude of 34°24°E, latitude N-0°11'27" S, and an altitude of 1400 m above sea level with an average annual rainfall of 1200 mm (Ogenga et al, 2018).…”

“…Evaluation of genotypes at Nyahera site was carried out under natural Striga infestation in the short rains of September 2018 and both under Striga free and Striga infestation in the long rains of March 2019. Nyahera is a site that had been used for Striga research by various organizations such as Nairobi University and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (Mbogo et al, 2016), the site, therefore, had already established Striga plots and Striga free plots. At Kadel, successful evaluation of sorghum genotypes was carried out only in the long rains of March 2019 under natural Striga infestation, given that the whole site was Striga infested.…”

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“…Vatke, Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth and Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze is the most economically devastating weeds worldwide (Mbogo et al 2016). Striga weed causes global yield losses translating to more than 40 billion US$ (Jamil et al 2012), while in Sub-Saharan Africa, it results to yield losses of up to 100%, translating to approximately 7 billion US$ annually.…”

“…In Western Kenya, Striga is the greatest bothersome weed, it distresses cereal such as millet, maize, sugarcane, rice, and sorghum. It results to cereal yield loss of up to 81 percent in Western Kenya (Mbogo et al 2016). An assessment of 85 maize farms in Siaya County, shown that 73% of the field are infected by the weed, causing maize yield loss of 1.15 tons per hectare (MacOpiyo et al 2010).…”