Techniques for Screening Sorghums for Resistance to Striga

Abstract

Striga is a root parasite of cereals and legumes which causes serious losses to host crops. Breeding genotypes of host crops wi th resistance to this parasite is recognized as the most economic way to combat Striga. However, the breeding progress has been slowed by the absence of valid screening techniques. In this bulletin all laboratory and field methodologies currently used for screening Striga resistance are described in detail. New screening techniques such as the three-stage methodology and the checkerboard layout techniques are discussed at length. Several suggestions are offered to assist the development and management of Striga-sick fields.