Riga infestation on maize productionStriga parasitism is actually a limiting aspect to maize (Zea mays

Riga infestation on maize productionStriga parasitism is actually a limiting aspect to maize (Zea mays L.) cropping inside the savannah zones of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) which constitutes the maize belt of the sub-region (Runo Kuria, 2018). About 75 of cultivated land with maize in SSA is endemic to S. hermonthica (CD38 Purity & Documentation Akaogu et al., 2019). Maize yield losses beneath serious Striga infestation may be as high as one hundred (Figure 1) and are economically estimated to 7 billion in the SSA alone (Spallek et al., 2013). The Striga issue has been worsened by the escalating mono-cropping practice alternatively of rotation and intercropping systems, human demographic pressure on obtainable land where as much as 300 million farmers had been exposed for the Striga infestation in SSA (Badu-Apraku Fakorede, 2017). Challenges in managing Striga infestation cause agricultural land abandonment in numerous West African countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Togo (Atera Itoh, 2011; Badu-Apraku, 2010; BaduApraku et al., 2014). Consequently, this has threatened food security and livelihoods of millions farmers in most nations in this region (Menkir et al., 2020).2.two|Biology and Striga spp. life cycleLife cycle of Striga is synchronized to that of its host and requires mechanisms that coordinate lifecycles of both the parasite as well as the host (Bouwmeester et al., 2003). Striga life cycle frequently includes: germination, host attachment, formation of haustoria, penetration and establishment of vascular connections, nutrients accumulation, flowering and seed production (Parker Riches, 1993) (Figure two). Germination of Striga seedsF I G U R E 1 Maize field devastated by S. hermonthica inside the North of Benin Republic Source: Yacoubou (2018)YACOUBOU et Al.|F I G U R E two The life cycle of S. hermonthica on a susceptible host. Stages indicated: A = after-ripening and conditioning of S. hermonthica seed, B = germination of S. hermonthica seed, C = haustorial initiation and attachment of S. hermonthica for the host followed by a period of development underground, D = S1PR2 Formulation emergence of S. hermonthica plants in the soil, E = flowering, insect pollination, seed set and dispersal. Duration of every phase from the life cycle is indicated. Supply: Hearne (2001) [Colour figure is usually viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]depends on the presence of hormones generally known as strigolactones that happen to be produced by the host and in other situations non-host species (Spallek et al., 2013). With all the presence of strigolactones, parasite seedlings attach for the host and kind vascular connections depriving it of its water, carbohydrates and minerals (Yoshida Shirasu, 2009). Beneath stressful situations plant roots exude strigolactone hormone to promote symbiotic partnership with soil microbes for mineral nutrient scavenging (Steven, 2014). Parasitic plants including Striga hermonthica have exploited these strigolactone hormones as signals to stimulate the germination of their seeds (Runo et al., 2012) (Figure 3). Throughout early stages of seed development, just before emergence, the parasite depends entirely around the host plant (Webb Smith, 1996). At this stage of subterranean improvement, S. hermonthica inflicts maximum damage towards the maize plant. The adverse effect of Striga on maize is manifested as stunting, chlorotic and necrotic lesions around the leaves and reduction of ear size and grain yield (Adetimirin et al., 2000). Striga spp. take about 40 weeks to finish its life cycle soon after emergence and this completion ordinarily happens a.