Influence of Two Desmodium Species Root Exudates on Haustorium Initiation and Attachment in Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth

Abstract

Striga hermonthica is a parasitic weed that causes significant
yield losses in many important crops and affects the livelihood of millions
of people worldwide. A study was undertaken to examine the effects of
Desmodium. uncinatum (Jacq.) DC and D. dichotomum (Klein) DC root
exudates on initiation of haustorium and attachment of S. hermonthica. A
series of laboratory experiments was conducted at the Gezira Research
Station, Wad Medani, Sudan. D. uncinatum and D. dichotomum root
exudates, applied 24 hours subsequent to GR 24, a synthetic germination
stimulant, or simultaneously with it, did not induce haustorium initiation.
D. uncinatum and D. dichotomum curtailed striga attachment to sorghum
roots.