Control of Striga hermonthica using NPK fertilizer in combination with maize-cowpea intercrop

Abstract

One of the biotic constraints causing yield losses of maize in Nigeria is Striga infestation. Field experiment was conducted during the 2014 and 2015 wet seasons at the Research and Demonstration Farm, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria; to assess different NPK fertilizer rates in combination with maize-cowpea intercrop for Striga hermonthica control in maize. The treatments consisted of sole-maize + 0 kg NPK ha^-1, maize-cowpea + 0 kg NPK ha^-1 , sole-maize + 60 kg NPK ha^-1, maize-cowpea + 60 kg NPK ha^-1, sole-maize + 120 kg NPK ha^-1, maize-cowpea + 120 kg NPK ha^-1 , sole-maize + 180 kg NPK ha^-1 , maize-cowpea + 180 kg NPK ha^-1, arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The result showed that Striga shoot counts was lowest in plots planted with sole-maize + 120 kg NPK ha^-1 followed by plots planted with maize-cowpea + 60 kg NPK ha^-1 . Sole-Maize + 120 kg NPK ha^-1 produced higher stand count and taller maize plants respectively than all the other treatments. Application of 180 kg NPK ha^-1 significantly (P<0.05) produced the highest dry cob weight, 100 grain weight and grain yield in this study. It is therefore suggested that for Striga hermonthica control, sole-maize + 120 kg NPK ha^-1 and maize-cowpea + 60 kg NPK ha^-1 can be recommended. For increased grain filling and yield of maize, application of 180 kg NPK/ha with sole-maize is recommended in this study.