On-farm evaluation of improved maize varieties intercropped with some legumes in the control of Striga in the Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria

Witchweed (Striga spp.) is one of the major threats to cereal production in the West African savanna. Two on-farm trials were conducted in 1999 and 2000 at Layin Taki and Kayawa to evaluate the use of tolerant maize varieties intercropped with some legumes in the management of the parasitic weed. Striga incidence and maize reaction score were significantly (P = 0.05) reduced by the variety Acr.97 TZL Comp. 1 intercropped with soyabean (var. SAMSOY II) and groundnut (var. RMP-91) in both years and by Oba Super 1 intercropped with the two legumes in 2000. Oba Super 1 + RMP-91 increased cob numbers and weight and grain yield over the local cultivar in the two years. Acr.97 TZL Comp. 1 + RMP-91 increased cob number and weight in both the years and grain yield in 1999. Grain yield and cob weight had significant (P = 0.05) negative correlations with Striga incidence and crop reaction score. Intercropping the two improved varieties with either soyabean or groundnut was more profitable than the local cultivar grown alone. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.