Pest Management Science (2009) 65, 572-580

Julien Venne, Fen Beed, Adolphe Avocanh and Alan Watson (2009)
Integrating Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. strigae into cereal cropping systems in Africa
Pest Management Science 65 (5), 572-580
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. (witchweed) poses the greatest biological constraint to food production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Control options for Striga are currently largely ineffective or unavailable to farmers, and other management possibilities are urgently needed. Biological control obviates some of the problems of several of the other techniques and provides a management option that is durable and environmentally responsive. The efficacy of S. hermonthica control using different formulations of three isolates of Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. emend. Synder and Hans f. sp. strigae was tested on Striga-resistant and Striga-susceptible varieties of sorghum and maize under African field conditions for the first time.
RESULTS: Isolates PSM197 and Foxy 2 were effective in witchweed repression, especially when applied as pesta granules. Isolate M12-4A was less effective under the field conditions investigated. Application of the fungi was generally more beneficial in maize than in sorghum for the varieties tested. Application of the biocontrol agent caused significant decreases in the number of flowering Striga plants, and hence deposition of seeds with impact of enhancing future crop yield.
CONCLUSIONS: Synergistic effects between the Striga-resistant maize line and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp strigae led to over 90% reduction in Striga emergence. These results will further encourage the distribution of the isolates tested or selection of country-specific relatives as viable and environmentally safe biocontrol agents to be used against Striga. Pesta was the most effective formulation, while seed coating may be more cost effective.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Alan K. Watson

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
resistance/tolerance/defence of host
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
formulation/storage of bioagents
application technology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Striga hermonthica (weed)	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
	Striga hermonthica (weed)	Sorghum (crop)
Fusarium oxysporum (weed pathogen)	Striga hermonthica (weed)	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
Fusarium oxysporum (weed pathogen)	Striga hermonthica (weed)	Sorghum (crop)