Ua Kayongo Hybrid Maize

A New Approach to Controlling Parasitic Striga for Kenyan Maize Producers

The First Line of Defense

The first line of defense in the war against Striga is containing its invasion into new fields.  Because the seeds are very small, they are easily spread to new areas by humans (for example on shoes or digging tools) and animals, as they move from one field or farm to another.  If Striga appears in a new location, farmers should take immediate action to contain the infestation:-

1. identify the field and mark the area (patch) where the Striga has invaded

2. repeatedly hand weed the shoots as they emerge so that new seeds do not form, and

3. in the next season, do not plant hosts of Striga into the field or patch but instead plant Ua Kayongo with soyabean, groundnut and/or lablab.  The roots of these legumes will induce suicidal germination of Striga seeds residing in the soil.

Format Home  l  Striga Home  l  Mobilizing Farmers  l Striga Threats  l  Know your Enemy  l  First Defense 

 Striga Management  l  Ua Kayongo  l  Establish Ua Kayongo  l Questions on Striga  

 Striga Swahili  l  Striga Luo  l  Striga Luhya  l  Contact Details  

© 2005. African Agricultural Technology Foundation's ( AATF Striga Management Project ).
For inquiries contact [format@wananchi.com].
Last updated: 01/25/06.