Effect of the fortilizer nitrophoska on sorghum Sorghum bicolor L. parasitized by witchweed (Striga Hermonthica Del Benth)‎

Abstract EN

Nitrophoska (NPK), a compound fertilizer, showed significant effects in stimulating yield components of Sorghum bicolor L.

cultivar Tabat and in depressing the parasitism of Striga hermonthica Del.

Benth.

Over all treatments nitrophoska at N3 (54 kg N/F) gave 160, 105,121 and 120% increases in yield components over the control for head weight, plant height, 1000 grain weight and straw yield/ m2 of sorghum.

Nitrophoska scored 83% and 80% decrease in striga dry shoot weight / m2 and striga density / m2, respectively less than the control at N1 (18 kg N/F).

To maximize the yield components of sorghum, higher levels of nitrophoska (N2.

N3) were recommended to be used; while lower levels of nitrophoska (N1) were recommended to combat the menace of striga in fields of sorghum.