A participatory approach to increasing productivity of maize through Striga hermonthica control in Northeast Nigeria

Striga hermonthica is a parasitic weed that attacks maize, sorghum and other staple cereal crops and has long been considered one of the greatest biotic constraints to cereal production in Africa. Use of resistant or tolerant maize varieties, a maize–legume rotation using trap crops that stimulate s...

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Main Authors: Kamara, A.Y., Ellis-Jones, J., Amaza, P., Omoigui, L.O., Helsen, J., Dugje, I.Y., Kamai, N., Menkir, A., White, R.W.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Cambridge University Press 2008
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/90737
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author Kamara, A.Y.
Ellis-Jones, J.
Amaza, P.
Omoigui, L.O.
Helsen, J.
Dugje, I.Y.
Kamai, N.
Menkir, A.
White, R.W.
author_browse Amaza, P.
Dugje, I.Y.
Ellis-Jones, J.
Helsen, J.
Kamai, N.
Kamara, A.Y.
Menkir, A.
Omoigui, L.O.
White, R.W.
author_facet Kamara, A.Y.
Ellis-Jones, J.
Amaza, P.
Omoigui, L.O.
Helsen, J.
Dugje, I.Y.
Kamai, N.
Menkir, A.
White, R.W.
author_sort Kamara, A.Y.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Striga hermonthica is a parasitic weed that attacks maize, sorghum and other staple cereal crops and has long been considered one of the greatest biotic constraints to cereal production in Africa. Use of resistant or tolerant maize varieties, a maize–legume rotation using trap crops that stimulate suicidal germination of Striga and the application of nitrogen fertilizer are all effective in reducing infestation and damage. This paper reports on the use of a participatory research and extension approach in assessing the performance and scaling-up of integrated Striga control packages in three agro-ecological zones in Borno State, Nigeria. The participatory process which encourages close interaction between research, extension and farmers, involved 30 local communities and 228 farmers representing 193 farmer groups in identifying their own problems and seeking solutions to them. Results showed not only effective Striga control but productivity increases of over 200%. The involvement of local farmers and groups in the evaluation process, firstly, helped to confirm that Striga control can best be achieved using soyabean followed by Striga-resistant maize together with productivity-increasing management practices and, secondly, promoted farmer-to-farmer extension. A participatory adoption assessment exercise indicated widespread adoption of new varieties and management practices, despite the need for increased labour. Great potential exists to scale out the results to similar areas of Guinea and Sudan savannas in the West Africa region.
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spelling CGSpace907372024-11-15T08:52:25Z A participatory approach to increasing productivity of maize through Striga hermonthica control in Northeast Nigeria Kamara, A.Y. Ellis-Jones, J. Amaza, P. Omoigui, L.O. Helsen, J. Dugje, I.Y. Kamai, N. Menkir, A. White, R.W. striga hermonthica maize sorghum parasitic weed soil fertility parasitism striga control guinea savanna technologies Striga hermonthica is a parasitic weed that attacks maize, sorghum and other staple cereal crops and has long been considered one of the greatest biotic constraints to cereal production in Africa. Use of resistant or tolerant maize varieties, a maize–legume rotation using trap crops that stimulate suicidal germination of Striga and the application of nitrogen fertilizer are all effective in reducing infestation and damage. This paper reports on the use of a participatory research and extension approach in assessing the performance and scaling-up of integrated Striga control packages in three agro-ecological zones in Borno State, Nigeria. The participatory process which encourages close interaction between research, extension and farmers, involved 30 local communities and 228 farmers representing 193 farmer groups in identifying their own problems and seeking solutions to them. Results showed not only effective Striga control but productivity increases of over 200%. The involvement of local farmers and groups in the evaluation process, firstly, helped to confirm that Striga control can best be achieved using soyabean followed by Striga-resistant maize together with productivity-increasing management practices and, secondly, promoted farmer-to-farmer extension. A participatory adoption assessment exercise indicated widespread adoption of new varieties and management practices, despite the need for increased labour. Great potential exists to scale out the results to similar areas of Guinea and Sudan savannas in the West Africa region. 2008-07 2018-02-06T12:14:31Z 2018-02-06T12:14:31Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/90737 en Limited Access Cambridge University Press Kamara, A.Y., Ellis-Jones, J., Amaza, P., Omoigui, L.O., Helsen, J., Dugje, I.Y., ... & White, R.W. (2008). A participatory approach to increasing productivity of maize through Striga hermonthica control in northeast Nigeria. Experimental Agriculture, 44(3), 349-364.
spellingShingle striga hermonthica
maize
sorghum
parasitic weed
soil fertility
parasitism
striga control
guinea savanna
technologies
Kamara, A.Y.
Ellis-Jones, J.
Amaza, P.
Omoigui, L.O.
Helsen, J.
Dugje, I.Y.
Kamai, N.
Menkir, A.
White, R.W.
A participatory approach to increasing productivity of maize through Striga hermonthica control in Northeast Nigeria
title A participatory approach to increasing productivity of maize through Striga hermonthica control in Northeast Nigeria
title_full A participatory approach to increasing productivity of maize through Striga hermonthica control in Northeast Nigeria
title_fullStr A participatory approach to increasing productivity of maize through Striga hermonthica control in Northeast Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed A participatory approach to increasing productivity of maize through Striga hermonthica control in Northeast Nigeria
title_short A participatory approach to increasing productivity of maize through Striga hermonthica control in Northeast Nigeria
title_sort participatory approach to increasing productivity of maize through striga hermonthica control in northeast nigeria
topic striga hermonthica
maize
sorghum
parasitic weed
soil fertility
parasitism
striga control
guinea savanna
technologies
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/90737
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