Review on Striga Distribution, Infestation and Genetic Potential in Ethiopian Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench)
Temesgen Teressa
Citation : Temesgen Teressa, Review on Striga Distribution, Infestation and Genetic Potential in Ethiopian Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench) International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences 2019, 5(2) : 23-31
Witch weeds (Striga spp.), endemic parasitic weeds of sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia are steadily increasing their geographic domain and level of infestation, and thereby greatly reducing crop yield. They have become a widely acknowledged scourge. The Striga problem undermines the struggle to attain food security and economic growth. Countries with nascent infestation of Striga only 25 years ago are now showing heavy annual losses of crop yield. Annual sorghum loss attributed to striga in SSA is estimated to 22- 27% and 25% in Ethiopia. The annual loss of all cereals due to striga is $7 billion in SSA and the share of Ethiopia is $75 million. In Ethiopia striga is major biotic constraint and serious threat of subsistence food production. Striga hermonthica is the dominant species it is most sever in highly degraded areas of North, North Western and Eastern parts of the country such as Tigray, Wollo, Gonder, Gojjem, North Shewa and Eastern Harerghe. Striga is, therefore, fast becoming a pandemic of serious proportions in the country because of its vast geographic spread and its economic impact on millions. Ethiopia is the source of diverse sorghum germplasm and there is the opportunity to develop striga resistance varieties.