FARMERS' PERCEPTION OF THE STRIGA PROBLEM AND ITS CONTROL IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

• DOI: 10.1017/s0014479703001601
• Publication Date: 2004-03-23T03:49:11Z
• Authors: A. M. EMECHEBE; J. ELLIS-JONES; S. SCHULZ; D. CHIKOYE; B. DOUTHWAITE; I. KUREH; G. TARAWALI; M. A. HUSSAINI; P. KORMAWA; A. SANNI
• Keywords: Striga hermonthica

The parasitic angiosperms, Striga hermonthica and S. gesnerioides , obligate root parasites endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, constitute severe constraints to cereal legume production West Central Africa. Over the years, a range of effective component technologies has been identified for control potential these demonstrated under researcher-managed conditions. To promote farmer testing technologies, community workshops were conducted 42 rural communities Kaduna State, northern Nigeria. These revealed that agriculture was main source livelihood most households. three important crops, maize, sorghum pearl millet are attacked by S . regarded as major constraint crop production, often causing 70–100% loss. Farmers recognised two types damage (underground aboveground), with greater being caused underground attributed increasing incidence severity lack capital, poor soil fertility, infestation previously uninfested land seeds, continuous cropping host crops. widely used among 15 existing techniques farmers hoe weeding hand pulling, application inorganic fertilizer manure, rotations, fallowing, early planting. In assessing possible measures considered increased yield, reduced reproduction emergence, vigour, fertility positive attributes. Negative attributes comprised labour requirement, higher costs, risk or yield reduction, lower quantity quality produce. Overall, legume-cereal rotation highly rated option management evaluated farmers. implications results examined respect farmers' adoption adaptation options beyond experimental plots.