Effects of varying levels of Parkia biglobosa pulp for the control of Striga genesnerioides (WILD) in cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L) WALP.

Field trials were conducted in 2012 and 2013 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agricultural Technology, Plateau State College of Agriculture, Garkawa (08°52'N, 69°24'E) to evaluate the effect of different Parkia pulp levels in the control of Striga gesnerioides in the Southern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of different Parkia rates, applied per hole before planting, thus: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 g/ hill, seed coated with Parkia pulp before planting and control (no Parkia pulp). These treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated three times. The result indicated general delay in the emergence of Striga when Parkia pulp was applied. Similarly, application of 2, 3 and 4 g/ hill of Parkia pulp before planting significantly reduced the number of crop plants infested with Striga and Striga shoot count while crop vigour was increased. Generally, application of Parkia products significantly delayed flowering of Striga and reduced number of capsules per Striga plant. Crop maturity was earliest in the no Parkia treatment. Number of pods per net plot, pod weight and grain yield were not significantly affected by the Parkia treatments though the general trend showed increase with increase in the Parkia pulp up to 3.0 g/hill: however the use of 4.0 g/hill and the seed coated treatments did not show increase in grain yield. The application of Parkia pulp reduced significantly the number of capsules per plant of Striga. The implication of this is that there will be depletion of seed bank build up for future infestation, thereby ensuring control of Striga over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]