Summary
Striga species are parasitic angiosperms that attack many crops grown by subsistence farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and India. Control of the parasite is difficult and genetically resistant crops are the most feasible and appropriate solution. In cowpea, complete resistance toStriga gesnerioides has been identified. Breeding for resistance in sorghum has identified varieties with good resistance toS. asiatica in Africa and India. One variety was also resistant toS. hermonthica in W. Africa. No such resistance toStriga has been found in maize or millets.
Resistant varieties have usually been sought by screening germplasm in fields naturally infested withStriga. However, laboratory techniques have also been developed, including anin vitro growth system used to screen cowpeas for resistance toS. gesnerioides. Two new sources of resistance in cowpea have been identified using the system. The technique has also been used to investigate the mechanisms of resistance in this crop. Two mechanisms have been characterised, both were expressed after penetration of cowpea roots by the parasite.
The resistance of some sorghum varieties toStriga is controlled by recessive genes. In cowpea, resistance toStriga is controlled by single dominant genes. The genes for resistance are currently being transferred to cowpea varieties which are high yielding or adapted to local agronomic conditions. OneStriga resistant cowpea variety, Suvita-2, is already being grown widely by farmers in Mali. Reports of ‘breakdown’ of resistance in cowpea toStriga have not yet been confirmed, but a wider genetic base to the resistance is essential to ensure durability ofStriga resistance.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- ICRISAT:
-
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
- IITA:
-
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
- LARS:
-
Long Ashton Research Station
- SAFGRAD:
-
Semi-Arid Food Grain Research and Development
References
Aggarwal, V.D., 1991. Research on cowpea-Striga resistance at IITA. In: S.K., Kim (Ed.), CombatingStriga in Africa, pp. 90–95. IITA, Ibadan.
Aggarwal, V.D., S.D., Haley & F.E., Brockman, 1986. Present status of breeding cowpeas for resistance toStriga at IITA. In: S.J.ter, Borg (Ed.), Proceedings of a workshop on biology and control ofOrobanche, pp. 176–180. LH/VPO, Wageningen.
Aggarwal, V.D. & J.T., Ouedraogo, 1989. Estimation of cowpea yield loss fromStriga infestation. Trop. Agric. 66: 91–92.
Anon., 1991a. The SAFGRAD Networks. Serving National Agricultural Research Systems and Food Grain Farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. OAU/STRC-SAFGRAD, Ouagadougou.
Anon., 1991b. Semi-Arid Tropics News, ICRISAT 8: 3.
Ejta, G., L.G., Butler, D.E., Hess & R.K., Vogler, 1991. Genetic and breeding strategies forStriga resistance in sorghum. In: J.K., Ransom, L.J., Musselman, A.D., Worsham & C., Parker (Eds.), Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium of Parasitic Weeds, pp. 539–544. CIMMYT, Nairobi.
Emechebe, A.M., B.B., Singh, O.I., Leleji, I.D.K., Atokple & J.K., Adu, 1991. Cowpea-Striga problems and research in Nigeria. In: S.K., Kim (Ed.), CombatingStriga in Africa, pp. 18–28. IITA, Ibadan.
Kim, S.K., 1991. Breeding maize forStriga tolerance and the development of a field infestation technique. CombatingStriga in Africa, pp. 96–108. IITA, Ibadan.
Lagoke, S.T.O., J.Y., Shebayan, G., Weber, O., Olufajo, K., Elemo, J.K., Adu, A.M., Emechebe, B.B., Singh, A., Zaria, A., Awad, L., Ngawa, G.O., Olaniyan, S.O., Olfare & A.A., Adeoti, 1991. Survey ofStriga problem and evaluation ofStriga control methods and packages in the Nigerian savannah. Report of the FAO-IARStriga project, IAR, Ahmadu-Bello University, Zaria.
Lane, J.A., 1989. Prospects for the control ofStriga, a noxious parasitic weed of tropical crops. Rural Dev. Pract. 1: 9–10.
Lane, J.A. & J.A., Bailey, 1991. Resistance of cowpea toStriga gesnerioides. In: K., Wegmann & W., Forstreuter (Eds.), Progress inOrobanche research. Proceedings of the International Workshop onOrobanche Research, Obermarchtal 1989, pp. 344–350. Erberhard-Karls-Universität, Tubingen.
Lane, J.A., J.A., Bailey & P.J., Terry, 1991a. Anin vitro growth system for studying the parasitism of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) byStriga gesnerioides. Weed Res. 31: 211–217.
Lane, J.A., M.J., Kershaw, T.H.M., Moore, D.V., Child, P.J., Terry & J.A., Bailey, 1991b. Anin vitro system to investigate the parasitism of cereals byStriga species and resistance of cowpea toAlectra vogelii. In: J.K., Ransom, L.J., Musselman, A.D., Worsham & C., Parker (Eds.), Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium of Parasitic Weeds, pp. 237–240. CIMMYT, Nairobi.
Maiti, R.K., K.V., Ramaiah, S.S., Bisen & V.L., Chidley, 1984. A comparative study of the haustorial development ofStriga asiatica (L.) Kuntze on sorghum cultivars. Ann. Bot. 54: 447–457.
Obilana, A.T., 1984. Interitance of resistance toStriga (Striga hermonthica Benth.) in sorghum. Protec. Ecol. 7: 305–311.
Obilana, A.T., W.A.J.de, Milliano & A.M., Mbwaga, 1991.Striga research in sorghum and millets in Southern Africa: status and host plant resistance. In: J.K., Ransom, L.J., Musselman, A.D., Worsham & C., Parker (Eds.), Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium of Parasitic Weeds, pp. 435–441. CIMMYT, Nairobi.
Olivier, A., N., Benhamou & G.D., Leroux, 1991a. Cell surface interactions between sorghum roots and the parasitic weedStriga hermonthica: cytochemical aspects of cellulose distribution in resistant and susceptible host tissues. Can. J. Bot. 69: 1679–1690.
Olivier, A., K.V., Ramaiah & G.D., Leroux, 1991b. Selection of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) varieties resistant to the parasitic weedStriga hermonthica. Weed Res. 31: 219–225.
Parker, C., 1991. Protection of crops against parasitic weeds. Crop Protec. 10: 6–22.
Parker, C. & N., Dixon, 1983. The use of polyethylene bags in the culture and study ofStriga spp. and other organisms on crop roots. Ann. Appl. Biol. 103: 485–488.
Parker, C. & T.I., Polniaszek, 1990. Parasitism of cowpea byStriga gesnerioides: variation in virulence and discovery of a new source of host resistance. Ann. Appl. Biol. 116: 305–311.
Parker, C. & A.K., Wilson, 1983.Striga-resistance identified in semi-wild ‘shibra’ millet (Pennisetum sp.). Med. Fac. Land. Rijks. Univ. Gent 48: 1111–1117.
Press, M.C., J.D., Graves & G.R., Stewart, 1991. Physiology of the interaction of angiosperm parasites and their higher plant hosts. Plant Cell Environ. 13: 91–104.
Parseglove, J.W., 1968. Tropical Crops, Dicotyledons. Longmans, London.
Kamaiah, K.V., 1987. Breeding cereal grains for resistance to witchweed. In: L.J., Musselman (Ed.), Parasitic Weeds in Agriculture. Vol. 1.Striga, pp 227–242. CRC Press, Boca Raton.
Ramaiah, K.V., V.L., Chidley & L.R., House, 1990. Inheritance ofStriga seed-germination stimulant in sorghum. Euphytica 45: 33–38.
Ransom, J.K., R.E., Eplee & M.A., Langston, 1990. Genetic variability for resistance toStriga asiatica in maize. Cereal Res. Commun. 18: 329–333.
Sauerborn, J., 1991. The economic importance of the phytoparasitesOrobanche andStriga. In: J.K., Ransom, L.J., Musselman, A.D., Worsham & C., Parker (Eds.), Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium of Parasitic Weeds, pp. 137–143. CIMMYT, Nairobi.
Singh, B.B. & A.M., Emechebe, 1990. Inheritance ofStriga resistance in cowpea genotype B301. Crop Sci. 30: 879–881.
Singh, B.B. & A.M., Emechebe, 1991. Breeding for resistance inStriga andAlectra in cowpea. In: J.K., Ransom, L.J., Musselman, A.D., Worsham & C., Parker (Eds.), Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium of Parasitic Weeds, pp. 303–305. CIMMYT, Nairobi.
Smart, J., 1990. Grain Legumes: Evolution and Genetic Resources. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Vaidya, P.K., B., Raghavender & S.Z., Mukuru, 1991. Progress in breeding resistance toStriga asiatica in sorghum at the ICRISAT Centre. In: S.K., Kim (Ed.), CombatingStriga in Africa, pp. 81–89. IITA, Ibadan.
Vasudeva Rao, M.J., 1987. Techniques for screening sorghums for resistance toStriga. In: L.J., Musselman (Ed.), Parasitic Weeds in Agriculture. Vol. 1.Striga, pp. 281–304. CRC Press, Boca Raton.
Vasudeva Rao, M.J., P.K., Vaidya, V.L., Chidley, S.Z., Mukuru & L.R., House, 1989. Registration of ‘ICSV 145’Striga asiatica resistant sorghum cultivar. Crop Sci. 29: 488–489.
Visser, J.H., I., Dörr & R., Kollmann, 1977. On the parasitism ofAlectra vogelii Benth. (Scrophulariaceae). 1. Early development of the haustorium and initiation of the stem. J. Plant Physiol. 84: 213–222.
Wood, R.K.S., 1982. Active Defense Mechanisms in Plants. Plenum Press, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lane, J.A., Bailey, J.A. Resistance of cowpea and cereals to the parasitic angiospermStriga . Euphytica 63, 85–93 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023914
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023914