Avanços na ciência e tecnologia agrícola

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Screening of Sugarcane Varieties against Striga Hermonthica Parasitic Weed Infestation at Beles Sugar Project

Amrote Tekle, Besufikad Melkamu

Ten selected sugarcane varieties under the same Striga seed concentration were evaluated for their response to striga hermonthica parasitic weed at Beles sugar project. The Striga seed was collected on 150 micron screen sieves while the trash was collected on 250 micron screen sieves separately. Tetrazolium red test was used to detect live Striga seed and the seed was examined through the PCM looking for the red-stained endosperm indicative of viable seed. The amount of Striga seed that was needed to infest each pot was calculated based on the amount of Striga seed that was germinate. All sugarcane varieties were infested into the top 60 cm of soil depth with Striga seed. Treatments were organized in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Striga hermonthica weed infestation was detected on all sugarcane varieties at different infestation level. On average lager number of striga weed populations was attached on susceptible sugarcane varieties SP70/1224 and FGO3-520 while Lower mean attaché striga weed was noted on resistant varieties, NCO-334, N14, B52/298 and C132/81. Susceptible sugarcane varieties displayed stunted growth, tiller mortality and death of stools. In general, the evaluated sugarcane varieties were categorized in Resistance, Moderately resistance and susceptible groups of reaction. The striga infestation did not affect sprout significantly for all sugarcane varieties were under the test. Sprout and tiller population relatively affected by the infestation resulting poor crop stand and stalk formation on susceptible sugarcane varieties. Beles sugar development project has to be periodically monitoring their sugarcane fields planted with susceptible and moderately susceptible sugarcane varieties for striga weed status and take immediate measure. Especial nutrient management should be given for sugarcane varieties planted on poor soil fertility and mechanism of resistance should be further investigated for sugarcane varieties under the production.