Screening of maize genotypes for low Striga Asiatica stimulant production using the 'agar gel technique'

Abstract

One of the best characterized mechcanisms of resistance to the parasitic weed (Striga) is low germination stimulant exudation by host plants.Ustng a simple and rapid agar gel assay, 112 maize genotypes were tested ror low stimulant production and haustorium initiation or StTiga asialiea (L.) Kuntze. Most of the genotypes IDduced high level or gennlnadon of Stngs seeds at distances more than 1.3 em, from the crop seedling root to the furthest germinating Strlga seed. Germination d1 < I< comparable to that or highly reststant sorghum varieties. The commercial varieties Induced high level of germination. A slmUar procedore was followed to observe tbe rate of haustorium Initiation. Despite the tendency to stimulate considerably high germination, some entries permitted very low haustorium tnltlatlon. The best three Unes In terms orIow haustorium Initiation were PR 496-45, PR 91B 5323 33 x 34 and PR 91A 496-17. There was no relationship between germination dl