Evaluation of Locust Bean (Parkia Biglobosa Jacq Benth) Pod Husk Powder Use in the Control of Striga (Striga Hermontheica) in Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L) In Gombi and Hong Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria

The experiment analyzed the effect of locust bean (Parkia biglobosa jacq. benth) pod husk powder use in the control of striga (Striga hermontheica) in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor l.) in Gombi and Hong Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The trial specifically analyzed the effect of different methods of application of Locust Bean Pod Husk Powder (LBHP) in controlling effect of striga on sorghum, the growth and performance of sorghum and the yield and its component of sorghum as a result of effect of different methods of LBHP Application to control striga. A field trial involved different methods of application of locust bean husk powder to control striga was carried out in the 2023 cropping season in Hong and Gombi local governments of Adamawa state. Fields selected were only those that have a history of Striga hermontheica infestation and have been under continuous cereal cropping for the past 3-5 years. The result indicated that there is significant (67.608) difference in the data obtained from the parameters measured with low except for plant height (46.757) indicating that the estimates were precise and the coefficient of variation (CV) has also shown that variation from the means are low. Treatment 3 (T3 which is top dressing of the powder) has the most effective reduction in striga appearance (12) followed by (T2 missing the seeds with the powder) compared to T4 (control) of 22. Plant height was greater in T3 as well as in leaf length and yield, however, leaf moisture content was observed to be better in T2 method. These showed that T3 method of application was the best. Methods T1 and T2 effects are low on striga control and method T3 has shown a striking effect on leaf length. The highest moisture content was obtained in T1. It is known that leaf moisture is used up in photosynthesis as such less will be seen in plants that are highly photosynthetic. T3 plants were taller, had more number and longer of leaves, therefore more photosynthesis resulting into less moisture content. However, the lowest content is obtained in T4 (the control) because the plants were almost defective (existence of plenty of striga). As expected, when plant is tall and leaves are long yield will be height. At the lowest striga count (12/ plot) height is maximum (280cm). on the other hand, when striga count is at the highest (22/ plot) plant height was low. At the lowest striga count leaf length is the longest (88cm) as compared to the highest striga count (73 stands). It also showed that leaf moisture content of sorghum plant was higher in plot with higher number of striga count (17 and 18/ plot). Yield depends on its component (height, leaf length and leaf moisture content). It can be seen that the highest yield was obtained were striga count was lowest, leaf length was longest and leaf moisture content was low. The higher the length of plant more the number of leaves, the longer the leaves the more the sunlight absorption, eventually the more the use of moisture and consequently the yield. The study recommended that Locust Bean pod husk powder applied as micro dose together with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, L) seeds at sowing, sorghum seeds soaked in aqueous extract of Locust Bean pod husk powder and locust bean pod husk powder applied as side dressing two week after sowing) should also be practice by farmers.