SUPPRESSION OF STRIGA-HERMONTHICA ON SORGHUM USING A COWPEA INTERCROP

Intercropping with a spreading type of cowpea was studied as a techniq ue for the control of Striga hermonthica on sorghum in northern Camero on. Alternate rows of cowpea did not reduce Striga density but plantin g the cowpea and sorghum in the same row, in the same or alternating h ills, reduced Striga density and numbers of Striga per sorghum stand. Yields of sorghum grain in the same-row planting treatments were not s ignificantly less than sole sorghum yields, and 200 to 700 kg ha- 1 of cowpea grain was produced. Alternating stands of sorghum and cowpea w ithin the same row gave the best yield of sorghum and greater reductio n of Striga. Production of mature Striga with capsules decreased with increasing cowpea ground cover, so that while cowpea may not reduce St riga emergence, it may hinder Striga development, possibly reducing th e Striga seed bank over time.