Nutritional management and maize variety combination effectively control Striga asiatica in southern Africa

Abstract Maize ( Zea mays L.) is an important staple food crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and contributes significantly to security. Due Striga , maize yield loss estimated between 20 80% forcing some farmers abandon their land therefore threatening Many strategies have been applied combat infested fields improve yields but alternative feasible approaches are still required. This study aimed at determining effects of phosphorus (P) variety on asiatica germination attachment. A factorial experiment eight P levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 70 kg ha −1 ), six varieties (inoculated non-inoculated) a 4 × 24 α-lattice design with three replications was set glasshouse the University Zimbabwe. similar under laboratory conditions using agar gel plates determine S. complete randomized replications. Adding (at 40 ) soil infected (p < 0.05) reduced counts haustorial root attachments all CV4 R201 supporting lowest numbers. also improved plant height, chlorophyll content, leaf, cob, total biomasses grain across genotypes. Cultivar produced highest attack. Furthermore, cultivars CV1 had seed maximum distance percentages zero P. Application germination, emergence increased tolerance varieties.