Effect of Salinity on ＂Striga hermonthica＂ Seed Germination and Incidence on Infested Sorghum

M.M. Hassan ； M.G. Osman ； A.M. Fatoma ； E.A. ELhadi ； A.E. Babiker

《Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences》 2卷3期 (2010/05) Pp. 210-213

並列摘要

The parasitic weed ＂Striga hermonthica＂ poses a serious threat to cereal production in Sudan. Seeds of ＂Striga hermonthica＂ were exposed to 25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 mM NaCl solutions during their preconditioning period (for 10 days) under laboratory conditions and induced to germinate by synthetic germination stimulant (GR24). Seed germination was decreased significantly with the increase in salt solution concentration. ＂Striga＂ germination was reduced by 79% at salinity level of 150 mM. Haustorium initiation in response to sorghum root macerate showed differential response to salinity. Significant reduction in haustorium initiation was observed only at salinity level of 150 mM. It reduced haustorium initiation by 66% than the corresponding control. In the pot experiment, the effects of salt stress on ＂Striga＂ incidence were investigated. Soil saturated with 75 mM NaCl resulted in complete absence of ＂Striga＂ emergence. While sorghum treated with 50 mM NaCl sustained the least ＂Striga＂ infestation, it reduced ＂Striga＂ infestation by 74 and 55% after 45 and 60 days, respectively.

並列關鍵字

Germination ； haustorium initiation ； salinity ； Striga hermonthica