Abstract:
Sorghum production is negatively influenced by abiotic and biotic stresses. Striga hermonthica, an obligate root-parasite, has been identified as one of the major biological threats to sorghum production. Despite the many Striga management methods available, sorghum yield in Northwest Ethiopia remains below potential. Three field experiments to assess the efficacy of Striga management on Sorghum performance were conducted in Striga hermonthica hot spot areas of Northwest Ethiopia in the 2017/18 cropping season, at Gondar agriculture research centers in Metema and Sanja. A randomized complete block design with three replications in a factorial arrangement, three nitrogen and cattle manure rates, and two sorghum varieties, Striga resistant 'Berhan' and susceptible 'Deber,' intercropped with sorghum and soybean at different dates of sowing (2 weeks, one week before, and at the same date with sorghum) and soybean 'Afgat' were treatments and the test crop. All treatments in the experiment reduced Striga count and Striga dry matter to a varying degree. Grain yield, above-ground biomass, and thousand seed weight all revealed a very significant difference in the main effects and their interactions. N 92 kg and manure 20 tons h-1 gave the highest grain (1.23 tons) and biomass (13.49 tons h-1) yields and the lowest Striga counts (81.3 at 4.8 m2). Sorghum/cowpea and sorghum/soybean had substantially higher mean LERs, 1.45 and 1.34, respectively. "Berhan" variety with N 92 kg and manure of 20 tons h-1, sorghum: cowpea intercropping and sowing soybeans two weeks before sorghum is recommended for effective sorghum production and Striga management in the study area.