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The key driver to the Kenyan economy is agricultural sector that has long enough been crippled by several factors including capital and poor agronomic practices. Today, I will take you through a major weed which is considered as a threat by most of the farmers.
This parasitic weed is more invasive in crop plants as compared to other natural vegetation. It’s one of the weeds that could give you 100% loss if not managed. The problem is more prevalent in Western and Nyanza region. The weed is known as Oluyongo in luhya or siyongo in Luo. There are two varieties including; Striga Asiatica and Striga Haemonthica which are a major problem in Kenya.
The seeds of the striga have high viability that gives it the persistent trait within the environment. The seeds can remain viable in the soil for a period of 20 years. The weed normally develops haustorium that connects it to the host plant (Maize) mainly for food. This eventually leads to stunted growth in crop plants and ultimate poor yields or death.
Farmers can be able to control this problem by following the steps;
1. Practice field Hygiene- This involves clearing of your land fully before and after harvesting, by removing all plant debris that have remained in the farm after the previous harvest.
2. Apply livestock manure in the field- It has been proved that fresh livestock manure can on a greater extent reduce the impact of striga through ammonia poisoning. Crop plants have designed a system through which ammonia released after the decomposition of manure is quickly converted into soluble nitrates that are consumed by plants; a case which striga weeds are unable. This could be the best tactic to control striga weed.
3. Suicidal Germination- Research has shown that fumigating the field with ethylene (germination stimulant) could initiate the germination of the striga weed. However, the hormone responsible for the development of the haustoria will be absent due to the absence of the host plant leading to death of the striga weed.
4. Chemical control- This should be the last resort of a farmer, if all the above methods have failed.
