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Control—the Striga conundrum
Author(s) -
Hearne Sarah J
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.1735
Subject(s) - striga , striga hermonthica , emerging technologies , control (management) , computer science , risk analysis (engineering) , data science , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , business , ecology , artificial intelligence , sorghum
There is a wide range of existing and potential control options for Striga . This paper describes and discusses many of the control options, with a focus on technology limitations, adoption limitations (real or potential) and, in the case of novel technologies, development limitations. The paper addresses the question as to why, after many years of research, control method testing, piloting and technology dissemination, the wide‐scale effective control of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. and Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze is so elusive. Limitations, including variable technology reliability, poor access to control technology, costs (monetary, labour, skills) associated with control technology, limited practicality of methods and poor information, all hamper the adoption and impact of existing control methods. Some of the same issues may impact upon novel control technologies, and this needs careful consideration. Additional issues surround other potential technologies, especially so in the case of transgenic approaches. Suggestions are made as to how the impasse of effective Striga control can be overcome. More effective use of integrated control approaches, improved crop germplasm phenotyping, enhanced understanding of the host/non‐host—parasite interaction and better integration and communication among the parasitic plant research, development and extension community are among the suggestions made. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry