Integration of socio-economically appropriate management strategies for Striga hermonthica in The Gambia

Striga hermonthica is a major constraint to coarse grain production in The Gambia. Integrated trials were carried out in 1997 and 1998 in two contrast ing sites to assess the effectiveness of various cultural control methods f or reducing infestations and improving crop yields. Long-term effectiveness was an especial concern as reflected in the ability of different strategie s to deplete the soil seed bank. Fertility improvement by tethering livesto ck proved particularly effective in both depleting the soil seed bank and i mproving crop yield. Cotton trap crops were less so. Results are discussed in terms of a co-ordinated approach, including various cultural methods (ro tation with leguminous non-host trap crops, tethering of livestock to impro ve fertility), with an annual Striga campaign to prevent seed shedding.