Integrated management of parasitic plant Striga hermonthica in maize using Fusarium oxysporum (mycoherbicide) and post-emergence herbicides in the Nigerian savanna

Inglés. The efficacy of a granular mycoherbicide formulation based on Fusarium oxysporum and post-emergence herbicides for the control Striga hermonthica was evaluated. Four fungal treatments were used: F. oxysporum followed by 2, 4-D, F. oxysporum followed by supplementary hoe weeding, F. oxysporum followed by Triclopyr and a control (No F. oxysporum) in two maize varieties (Across 97 TZL and farmer's local variety). The maize variety Across 97 TZL significantly delayed the emergence of Striga as compared to the farmer's local. The highest number of maize plant infected with Striga/shoot count was recorded at Makurdi and the farmer's local variety. Similarly, in the Striga control methods, the hoe-weeded check recorded significantly more Striga/shoot count when compared to all other control treatments. Highest maize grain yields were obtained in 2009; at Makurdi; Across 97 TZL and plots that received F. oxysporum followed by post-emergence application of either Triclopyr, 2,4-D each at 0.36 kg active ingredient/ha.

Español; castellano. Se evaluó la eficacia de un micoherbicida granular basado en Fusarium oxysporum y herbicidas post-emergencia para el control de Striga hermonthica. Se emplearon cuatro tramientos con hongos: F. oxysporum seguido de 2, 4-D, F. oxysporum seguido de deshierbe, F. oxysporum seguido de Triclopyr y un control (No F. oxysporum). Dos variedades de maíz fueron empleadas (Across 97 TZL y una variedad local). La variedad de maíz Across 97 TZL retrasó significantivamente la emergencia de Striga en comparación con la variedad local. El mayor número de plantas de maíz infectadas con Striga se registró en Makurdi con la variedad local. De manera similar, para los métodos de control de Striga, en el deshierbe se encontró mayor cantidad de Striga en comparaicón con los otros métodos. La mayor producción de maíz se obtuvo con Across 97 TZL y en las parcelas que recivieron F. oxysporum seguido por la aplicación post-emergencia de Triclopyr o 2,4-D a razón de 0.36 kg de ingrediente activo/ha.