Vegetative Growth of Sorghum and Striga hermonthica in Response to Nitrogen and the Degree of Host Root Infection

The effects of nitrogen and the extent of sorghum root infection by Striga hermonthica on host-parasite association during vegetative growth were studied using a split root system in a 3 × 3 factorial combination of N (37mg on one, 18.5 or 37mg on both root-halves) and Striga (no, one or both root-half infection). High N increased sorghum shoot weight by 22% more than low N, but did not significantly affect Striga growth 64 days after transplanting sorghum (DAP). Striga reduced sorghum stem height and weight by 22% and 25% at 38 DAP, and by 34% and 36% at 64 DAP, respectively. Leaf weight was not affected. Striga stimulated root growth 38 DAP, but not 64 DAP. In partially infected sorghum, 64 DAP, the parasite shoot number, shoot height and shoot dry weight were 36%, 46% and 35%, respectively and host shoot dry matter was 142% of those in fully infected plants, indicating an inverse relationship between the degree of host root infection and the level of resistance. The results suggest that sorghum released resistance-confering substances to the infection points after sensing infection. When infection points are widely distributed as in fully infected sorghum, less of such substances appear to render the host more vulnerable.