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ABSTRACT
Infestations of cereal crops by Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. also known as “giant witchweed” is one of the major challenges of African agriculture. Moisture effects have often been associated with distribution of Striga hermonthica in Nigeria. It is widespread in northern Nigeria but absent in southern Nigeria due to several reasons. This study investigated the germination potential of 20 mg of S. hermonthica seeds stored overtime under varying moisture conditions (including ambient conditions in Benin City) occasioned by exposure to varying quantities of silica gel (self-indicator) desiccants contained in plastic vials. A total of 22 treatments were made comprising 20 silica gel treatments ranging from 1 - 20 granules per vial and 2 control treatments (both without silica gels), one sealed and the other left open to ambient conditions. Standard Striga germination procedures: pregermination conditioning and application of germination stimulants were observed. Germination evaluations were conducted at 45, 82 and 101 days following exposure to desiccant treatment. Results showed a cumulative increase in germination overtime. Apart from treatment vials in which only three silica gel was included (SG3), all other vials with silica gels recorded high germination percentages ranging from 34 % to 51 %. Control treatments with no silica gel and open ambient conditions had the least germination percentage, suggesting that locations with high ambient moisture such as Benin City may diminish germination potentials of S. hermonthica seeds in storage. Similar effects on Striga seed germination have been reported using sophisticated equipment and therefore suggest that storage of Striga seeds with silica gels is a suitable alternative for long storage in humid situations such as Benin City, Nigeria.
