Striga-resistant cowpea

Striga is a parasitic weed that causes devastation to several crops in Africa. Different species of striga attack different crops the species of striga which parasitizes maize and sorghum IS different from that which attacks cowpea. Seeds of striga are stimulated to germinate by substances that are given off by the cowpea roots. The parasite then attaches itself to the cowpea roots and absorbs nutrients needed by the cowpea, resulting in a sickly plant and a poor crop. Strains of cowpea that are resistant to striga have been found in Botswana and plant breeders have crossed them with higher yielding varieties to produce good, resistant varieties, suitable for growing in most of Africa. The striga seed still germinates but is unable to attach itself to the cowpea root and therefore dies. This reduces the reservoir of striga seed in the soil and the cowpea crop is unaffected. IITA are looking at other strains of cowpea for potential striga resistance. IITA PO Box 5320 Ibadan NIGERIAStriga is a parasitic weed that causes devastation to several crops in Africa. Different species of striga attack different crops the species of striga which parasitizes maize and sorghum IS different from that which attacks cowpea. Seeds of striga..