Genotypic response of sorghum cultivars to nitrogen fertilization in the control of Striga hermonthica

Genotypic response of five sorghum cultivars to Striga in Striga-infested field at five levels of nitrogen fertilizer was studied for two years in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Highly significant differences were obtained among nitrogen levels for stem girth and dry matter weight, while significant for plant vigour, root weight and Striga count. Highly significant differences were detected among cultivars for plant vigour, dry matter weight, root weight and Striga count. Interaction between nitrogen levels and cultivars for dry matter weight and Striga count were significant. The cultivars response to Striga revealed that SK-5912, KSV-4, NR71150 and NR71182 are suspected to possess some level of Striga tolerance. A combination of nitrogen fertilizer between 50 and 100 kg/ha and some level of Striga tolerance will be an ideal control package of Striga menace. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.