DefinePK

Abstract

Background and Objective A preponderance of weedy species that colonize abandoned infested Striga plots in Nigeria has been observed to belong to the family Asteraceae. Such weed may assist in ridding plots of its Striga inoculums load if they can trigger the suicidal germination of Striga seeds. This study investigates the potentials of 20 selected asteraceous weeds to stimulate germination of Striga seeds. Materials and Methods Two procedures cut root and root exudates were used to obtain stimulants from test plants and compared with a standard synthetic germination stimulant. After 48 h the seeds were examined under a microscope for germination. Results The result revealed that using root cut procedure, Striga hermonthica germination ability was highly prevalent, with Solanecio biafra and Eclipta prostrata supported the highest 64.83 and lowest 31.83 percent germination, respectively. While, the root exudates method project Aspilia africana and Syndrella nodiflora supported the highest 60.50 and lowest 18.51 percentage germination, respectively. The positive control check GR-24 had the highest germination percentage value of 65. Conclusion The differential germination of the Striga hermonthica seeds under the cut root and root exudates treatments suggests some members of Asteraceae as a possible trap plant for the suicidal germination of Striga hermonthica seeds.