Abstracts The parasitic weed Striga hermonthica Benth. (Orobanchaceae), commonly known as striga, is an increasingly important constraint to cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), often resulting in total yield losses in maize (Zea mays L.) and substantial losses in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). This is further aggravated by soil degradation and drought conditions that are gradually becoming widespread in SSA. Forage legumes in the genus Desmodium (Fabaceae), mainly D. uncinatum and D. intortum, effectively control striga and improve crop productivity in SSA. However, negative effects of climate change such as drought stress is affecting the functioning of these systems. There is thus a need to identify and characterize new plants possessing the required ecological chemistry to protect crops against the biotic stress of striga under such environmental conditions. 17 accessions comprising 10 species of Desmodium were screened for their drought stress tolerance and ability to suppress striga. Desmodium incanum and D. ramosissimum were selected as the most promising species as they retained their leaves and maintained leaf function for longer periods during their exposure to drought stress conditions. They also had desirable phenotypes with more above ground biomass. The two species suppressed striga infestation, both under controlled and field conditions, and resulted in significant grain yield increases, demonstrating the incremental capability of Desmodium species in striga suppression. These results demonstrate beneficial effects of Desmodium species in enhancing cereal productivity in dry areas.

中文翻译：

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耐旱金钱草物种有效抑制寄生独脚金并提高肯尼亚西部谷物产量


摘要 寄生杂草Striga Hermonthica Benth。列当科 (Orobanchaceae)，俗称独脚金 (striga)，是撒哈拉以南非洲 (SSA) 谷物生产日益重要的制约因素，常常导致玉米 (Zea mays L.) 总产量损失和高粱 (Sorghum bicolor (L.) .）莫恩奇）。撒哈拉以南非洲地区逐渐普遍存在的土壤退化和干旱状况进一步加剧了这种情况。饲喂豆科金钱草属豆科植物，主要​​是 D. uncinatum 和 D. intortum，可有效控制 SSA 地区的独脚金并提高作物生产力。然而，干旱胁迫等气候变化的负面影响正在影响这些系统的功能。因此，需要鉴定和表征具有所需生态化学的新植物，以在这种环境条件下保护作物免受独脚金的生物胁迫。对 10 个山金钱草属 17 个种质的干旱胁迫耐受性和抑制独脚金的能力进行了筛选。 Desmodium incanum 和 D. ramosissimum 被选为最有前途的物种，因为它们在暴露于干旱胁迫条件下时能更长时间地保留叶子并维持叶子功能。它们还具有理想的表型，具有更多的地上生物量。这两个物种在受控条件和田间条件下均抑制了独脚金侵扰，并导致谷物产量显着增加，证明了山金钱草物种在抑制独脚金方面的增强能力。这些结果证明了山金钱草物种在提高干旱地区谷物生产力方面的有益作用。