Efficacy of Parkia biglobosa fruit powder on the control of Striga in cowpea cropping systems in the Sudan-Savanna, Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano (Latitude 120 03′N and Longitude 80 32′E) and Jigawa State Research Institute Farm, Kazaure (Latitude 120 06′N and Longitude 8047 E) in 2015 rainy season. The study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Parkia biglobosa fruit powder in the control of Striga (Striga gesnerioides (Walp) Vatke), growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) under field condition. The treatments consisted of three methods of Parkia fruit powder application (seed coating, basal and the control) and seven cowpea varieties (IT90K-277-2, IT97K-205-8, IT97K-390-2, IT97K-461-4, IT97K-568-11, IT98D-288, IT98K-131-2 and IT03K-378-4). These were laid in a split plot design and replicated three times. Methods of application of Parkia fruit powder were assigned to the main plot, while cowpea varieties were in the subplot. Results of the study showed that the control plots had the highest Striga count m(−2) in both locations. The variety IT90K-390-2 recorded the highest number of Striga m(−2) (5.11) while 1T97K-205-8 had none. Among the varieties tested, IT90K-277-2 recorded the highest grain yield (1841.3 kg ha(−1)) while IT03K-378-4 had the lowest grain yield (1439.4 kg ha(−1)) at BUK. Coating cowpea seeds with Parkia fruit powder recorded lowest stand count on most varieties. Basal application of Parkia fruit powder to IT90K-277-2 recorded higher grain yield (2137 kg ha(−1)) and lower Striga count m(−2) (0.66), and is therefore recommended for Striga control.