EFFECTS OF RATES OF NEEM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA) LEAVES POWDER ON STRIGA SUPPRESSION IN SORGHUM OF SUDAN SAVANNAH, NIGERIA

Abstract

Pot experiment was conducted at the research and demonstration farm of the Kashim Ibrahim College of Education Maiduguri, Nigeria, to evaluate the effectiveness of neem leaves powder (Adirachta indica) in the suppression of Striga hermonthica weeds on Sorghum and Sorghum performance and yields. The trial was laid out in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. The treatment used were five varieties of Sorghum (fara-Boono,Bururu-Borno,Samsorg-14,17,and 40) and five rates of neem leaves powder(0g,40g,80g120g and 160g) respectively. Data were collected on Sorghum germination caunt, plant height of Sorghum, Leaves caunt of Sorghum, Striga emergence, Striga height and Strow-biomass of Sorghum. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (Anova) and significant means were separated using standard error difference (SED) at 5 level of probability. The result showed that neem leaves powder did not influence the emergence of Sorghum and Striga weeds. The highest grain yield was 5oo.95g/pot at 120g neem leaves powder. The study also showed that using neem leaves powder at rate of 80g and above reduced Striga weed infestation on Sorghum.