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Striga hermonthica is a serious biotic constraint to sorghum production in sub-Saharan Africa but the use of cropping system, seed treatment and appropriate planting dates might help to control the weed. Two years trial was conducted at the Federal University of Technology Minna research farm. The objective was to evaluate the effect of intercropping system, seed treatment, and planting date in integrated management of S. hermonthica in sorghum. Treatments comprised two varieties of sorghum (resistance ICSV 1002 and susceptible Gwari Local variety), three different concentrations of parkia pulp powder (0, 66 and 100 g/L), soyabean variety TGX 1448-2E and two sowing dates (15 June and 21 July) in two cropping season (2012 and 2013). These were evaluated in a randomized complete block of three replicates. Data in both years were collected on days to first Striga emergence and Striga count per stand of sorghum plant and per plot of sorghum plant, severity score, sorghum plant height and grain yield were collected in both years. The results show that Striga emergence was significantly delayed in sorghum variety ICSV1002, sorghum intercropped with soyabean and sorghum soaked with 66g/L Parkia concentrations compared to other treatments. Striga count was fewer in sorghum variety ICSV1002, sorghum intercropped with soyabean and sorghum soaked with 66 g/L Parkia concentrations compared to other treatment. Severity score, plant height and grain yield showed the same trend as Striga emergence and Striga count. In conclusion, program of integrated Striga control could provide sustainable Striga control Key words: Sorghum, Striga hermonthica, integrated management.

The coated seeds have multiple advantages in relation to the common seeds. In addition to the increase in size and uniformity in their shape, treatment products can be incorporated in them helping the germination process. Against the foregoing, the objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological quality of the colza (Brassica napus L.) seeds coated with bentonite, gypsum and kaolin and treated with fungicide (carboxin+thiram) and plant extract of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). Colza seeds were encrusted with bentonite, gypsum and kaolin and received or not treatment with fungicide (carboxin + thiram) and aqueous extract of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) which were added together with the cementing mixture (30% of glue of polyvinyl acetate). Germination was evaluated in three periods (4, 7 and 14 days after sowing). The experiment was organized in a completely randomized design and arranged in a factorial scheme (filling materials × treatment products). The means, when necessary, were compared by the Scott-Knott test (p ≤ 0.05). The seeds coated with gypsum presented the best results for germination and vigor, followed by kaolin and bentonite. The seed coating with gypsum + plant extract presents the same germination and vigor of the seeds without coating. Key words: Coating, bentonite, physiological response.

The goal of this paper is to contribute to research on the peanut crop by studying the making of two beverages based on peanut extract in order to be first by rural communities, which work with familiar agriculture and school meals. In the experiment it was studied the enrichment of the peanut extract with umbu pulp and peanut extract with guava pulp in three formulations as well as the storage of the beverages in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers at the temperature of -18°C for 150 days. The beverages were evaluated as to their humidity, ashes, pH, acidity and protein. As a result, there is the possibility of making a product bases on peanut and enriched with fruit pulp representing good market potential. Key words: Arachis hypogaea, umbu and guava pulp, peanut milk.