Striga hermonthica: A highly destructive pathogen in maize production

Abstract

Maize is a major cereal crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Subsistence farmers mostly plant it in areas where the parasite Striga hermonthica's action often reduces the harvest. This parasite is an obligate root hemiparasite of grasses commonly known as witchweed and is the most challenging weed in SSA that causes significant constraints and devastating losses to food production annually. Several Striga control strategies have been examined over the past decades, such as cultural practices, biological control by parasitic fungi and bacteria, and the use of chemicals to manage Striga in cereal. In addition, the integration of two or more methods in controlling Striga weed has proven to be more effective than using a single control method. Due to the residual effect of chemicals on soils, there has been a rising need to develop a more environmentally friendly approach to combat this parasitic weed. Using bioinoculants in the control of this root parasitic weed is economically safe, socially acceptable, and environmentally friendly compared to chemical methods. We discussed the constraint in maize production, the deleterious effect of S. hermonthica on crops, and the methods used in combating this parasitic weed and its prospects in this study.

Keywords

• Striga hermonthica
• Biological control
• Plant-microbe interactions
• Bioinoculants
• Pests and diseases management
• Food security