Research Article
Relationships Between Sources and Levels of Nitrogen Fertilization and the Control of Striga hermonthica in Sorghum
Department of Crop Science, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Striga hermonthica is the most damaging species of Striga and it is native to Africa and does major damage to sorghum and millet especially in the Savanna and Sahel agro-ecological areas. The adverse grain yield effects on sorghum by Striga vary from 70 to 90% on improved cultivar while 40-50% for the local (Ramaiah, 1991; Elemo and Ogungbile, 1995; Showemimo, 2003, 2006; Showemimo and Kimbeng, 2005). In monetary term a conservative estimate of $950 million US is lost annually due to Striga menace in Nigeria, while more than 40% of arable lands in Africa are likely to be abandoned due to heavy Striga infestation (Lagoke et al., 1988).
Parasitic weeds virulence on host crops have been associated with soil fertility, the effect of N has been reported to affect sorghum-Striga co-existence. Parker (1984) reported that nitrogen fertilizer tend to reduce the production of stimulant by the host crop. In trials conducted at Samaru, Nigeria, nitrogenous fertilizer from 100 kg of N to 150 kg of N ha-1 reduced Striga infestation (Mansfield, 1982; Hamdoun and Babiker, 1989; Showemimo et al., 2002).
This study was carried out to obtain information on the association between two sources of nitrogen at different rates and their relevance in the control of S. hermonthica in sorghum.
Seven sorghum varieties adapted to the savanna agro-ecological zone were evaluated for three years (1998-2000) in the screen-house at Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, Nigeria for Striga control. Soil samples were collected from Striga free field; the soil samples were sun-dried, crushed and sieved through a 2.0 mm sieve. Initial soil Nitrogen content of 5.6% was assumed as described by Kowal (1968). Each pot contains 5 kg of soil thoroughly mixed with 0.5 g of Striga seeds collected in the previous year. Single Superphosphate and Muriate of Potash at the rate of 8 and 1.2 g, respectively, were added to each pot as basal fertilizers. Two sources of fertilizers (Urea and Calcium Ammonium Nitrate) were used each at five levels of N (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm).
Five seeds of each variety were planted in each pot and latter thinned down to two seedlings per pot. The trials were a split-split plot design with the seven sorghum varieties as main plot, sources of fertilizer as sub-plot treatments and levels of N as sub-sub plot treatments. The main plot treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Each pot received equal amount of water throughout the trial. Data were obtained on plant vigour on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = least vigourous and 5 = most vigorous; plant samples were oven dried to a constant weight to obtain dry matter weight (shoot and root), Striga count data were subjected to square root transformation for analysis. Analysis of variance was done by general linear models procedure of SAS (SAS, 1988). Associations (correlation) and relationships (regression) were calculated as described by Gomez and Gomez (1984).
Analysis of variance revealed non significant differences for sources of fertilizer, sources of fertilizer x levels of N, sources of fertilizer x varieties, levels of N x varieties and sources of fertilizer x levels of N x varieties. However, levels of N fertilizer and varieties were significant for all the traits, therefore, mean data of levels of N fertilizer averaged over sources and varieties and varietal performance averaged over sources of fertilizer and levels of N applied are presented in this study.
The most vigorous varieties under Striga infestation are KSV-4 (4.11), SK5912 (3.97), NR71150 (3.65) and NR71156 (3.04). KSV-4, SK5912 and NR71150 are clearly above overall mean plant vigor (Table 1). Dry matter shoot weight was higher in KSV-4, KSV-8 and SK-5912 compared with the other sorghum varieties evaluated in this study. While dry matter root weight was high for SK5912 (6.78 g), KSV-4 (5.11 g) and KSV-8 (5.04 g). Striga count was least for SK5912, KSV-4 and KSV-8, while L. 2123 accommodated the highest number of Striga 27.97 (Table 1).
In Table 2, nitrogen application influenced plant vigour with an average increase of 44.2% over control at 200 ppm, but no significant difference among plant vigour when N fertilizer is applied between 150 and 200 ppm. There was significant gradual increase in dry matter shoot weight as the level of N fertilizer increases. The least dry matter root weight was at the control and the highest; 6.53 g was at 200 ppm, no significant difference in root weight when N fertilizer was applied between 100 and 200 ppm. The least Striga count (4.11) was recorded at 200 ppm and no significant difference in number of Striga between 100 and 200 ppm of N fertilizer, the highest Striga count was at 50 ppm, thus, 46.6% decrease in Striga infestation.
Table 1: | Mean performance of seven varieties of sorghum averaged over sources of fertilizer and levels of application |
Square root transformed values in parentheses |
Table 2: | Mean values for four resistance traits of S. hermonthica at different levels of fertilizer average over source and varieties |
Fig. 1: | The relationship between N levels and plant vigour across seven sorghum varieties |
Fig. 2: | The relationship between N levels and dry matter shoot weight across seven sorghum varieties |
Fig. 3: | The relationship between N levels and dry matter root weight across seven sorghum varieties |
Fig. 4: | The relationship between N levels and Striga count across seven sorghum varieties |
Correlation coefficient (r) and coefficient of determination (R2) between N levels and plant vigour (0.921 and 0.849) dry matter shoot weight (0.971 and 0.934) and dry matter root weight (0.891 and 0.793) were highly significant, while level of N was significantly correlated with Striga count (0.796 and 0.633). Positive and significant linear relationship between levels of N and plant vigour, dry matter shoot and root weight and Striga as measured by linear regression analysis are in Fig. 1-4.
Genetic variability for resistance to Striga infestation is present among the sorghum varieties evaluated and the resistance was qualitatively expressed. Similar genetic variation in sorghum under Striga infestation had also been reported by Ramaiah (1991), Elemo and Ogungbile (1995). Showemimo et at. (1998), Showemimo et al. (2002) and Showemimo (2003).
The gradual increase in plant vigour, dry matter weight (shoot and root) as levels of N fertilizer increases is due to the responsiveness of the varieties to increase dosage of N fertilizer irrespective of the N sources. Good plant vigour and high dry matter weight are important criteria for selecting sorghum that are resistant/tolerant to Striga menace. This was further demonstrated by the significance of their association. Between 100 and 200 ppm of N, Striga count was significantly low, thus, the sorghum varieties were able to overcome the Striga competitiveness for nutrients. This finding was in agreement with those of Lagoke et al. (1988), Hamdoun and Babiker (1989) and Showemimo et al. (2002). The significant correlation indicated differential sorghum response to Striga and levels of N fertilizer. These observations collaborated with those of Hamdoun and Babiker (1989) and Showemimo et al. (2002) and Showemimo (2003).
The correlation (r), coefficient of determination (R2) and linear regression results obtained in this study revealed that the traits studied are suitable screening criteria for Striga resistance. Therefore, level of nitrogen fertilizer from 100 to 150 ppm (approximately 110-170 kg of N ha-1 when converted) was appropriate for the control of Striga hermonthica in sorghum. SK-5912, KSV-4, KSV-8 and NR71150 posses some level of Striga resistance and responsiveness to levels of N to aid good agronomic performance under Striga infestation.
There is no significant difference in Nitrogen source; therefore, either Calcium Ammonium Nitrate or Urea could be used in the control of Striga on sorghum fields. A minimum of 110 kg of N ha-1 up to 170 kg of N ha-1 was appropriate to control the menace of Striga in sorghum. SK-5912, KSV-4, KSV-8 and NR71150 showed good resistance/tolerance to Striga infestation.
Late Prof. C.C. Nwasike initiated this study, the author acknowledge his contributions and those of late Prof. L.B. Olugbemi former director IAR, Samaru and late Mal. B.O. Bello, chief technician IAR, Samaru, Nigeria.