Combating striga in Africa

Information on current progress in the refinement of screening techniques identification of resistant germplasm and breeding lines and assessment of crop losses due to striga attack is presented. A new laboratory-cum-pot steel mesh roll technique which permits interaction of stimulants with soil was developed and found effective in differentiating low from high stimulant-producing sorghum lines. Results correlated well with those from field screening of breeding lines for striga resistance.