Combined control of Striga hermonthica and stemborers by maize–Desmodium spp. intercrops

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dc.contributor.authorHassanali, Ahmed
dc.contributor.authorMidega, C. A.O.
dc.contributor.authorWadhams, Lester J.
dc.contributor.authorPickett, John A.
dc.contributor.authorKhan, Zeyaur R.
dc.date.accessioned2012-11-01T09:29:09Z
dc.date.available2012-11-01T09:29:09Z
dc.date.issued2006-09
dc.descriptionhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2006.01.008en_US
dc.description.abstractThe African witchweed (Striga spp.) and lepidopteran stemborers are two major biotic constraints to the efficient production of maize in sub-Saharan Africa. Previous studies had shown the value of intercropping maize with Desmodium uncinatum in the control of both pests. The current study was conducted to assess the potential role of other Desmodium spp., adapted to different agro-ecologies, in combined control of both pests in Kenya. Treatments consisted of intercropped plots of a Striga hermonthica- and stemborer-susceptible maize variety and one Desmodium sp. or cowpea, with a maize monocrop plot included as a control. S. hermonthica counts and stemborer damage to maize plants were significantly reduced in maize–desmodium intercrops (by up to 99.2% and 74.7%, respectively) than in a maize monocrop and a maize–cowpea intercrop. Similarly, maize plant height and grain yields were significantly higher (by up to 103.2% and 511.1%, respectively) in maize–desmodium intercrops than in maize monocrops or maize–cowpea intercrops. These results confirmed earlier findings that intercropping maize with D. uncinatum effectively suppressed S. hermonthica and stemborer infestations in maize resulting in higher crop yields. They also demonstrate that the other Desmodium spp. assessed in the current study have similar effects as D. uncinatum, indicating comparable phytochemical and other relevant attributes in these species. Overall results indicate the suitability of the Desmodium spp. for the control of both S. hermonthica and stemborers in maize.en_US
dc.identifier.citationCrop Protection Volume 25, Issue 9, September 2006, Pages 989–995en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5912
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherScienceDirecten_US
dc.subjectIntercroppingen_US
dc.subjectMaizeen_US
dc.subjectDesmodiumen_US
dc.subjectCowpeaen_US
dc.subjectStrigaen_US
dc.subjectStemboreren_US
dc.subjectControlen_US
dc.titleCombined control of Striga hermonthica and stemborers by maize–Desmodium spp. intercropsen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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