Evaluation of Cereal-Legume Cropping on Striga Control and Maize Yield

Abstract

Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth is ranked as the number one constraint to maize productivity in Eastern Uganda. The use of trap crops is one of the control measures suggested for farmers with limited resources in Striga infested areas. In this study the main focus was on the effectiveness of intercropping in reducing Striga infestation and hence overall land productivity. The major objective was to identify suitable legumes in the control of Striga. In order to achieve this, on-farm experiments were conducted in Tororo and Busia districts of Eastern Uganda where the effect of the legumes on the Striga prevalence was evaluated. Maize (Zea mays) was intercropped with common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), soybean (Glycine max) and silver leaf desmodium (Desmodium uncinatum) with sole maize (Z. mays) as the control. Soybean, beans and desmodium decreased the infestation of Striga by 26%, 40% and 72%, respectively. There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in the number of emerged Striga and maize yield attained by desmodium and the rest of the legumes. Desmodium was found to be the most effective of the legumes in the control of Striga.