Effect of mucuna intercropping on striga hermonthica infestation on growth and yield of sorghum in eastern Uganda.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
Striga hermonthica is one of the most destructive parasitic weeds limiting sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) production in Sub-Saharan Africa, causing severe yield losses and threatening food security among smallholder farmers. In Uganda, the problem is exacerbated by low soil fertility, limited fertilizer use, and inadequate adoption of integrated Striga management practices. Although Desmodium is widely promoted for Striga suppression, its adoption may be constrained by seed availability and management requirements. Mucuna pruriens, a vigorous nitrogen-fixing legume, has potential to suppress Striga while improving sorghum growth and productivity, but information on its effectiveness under Eastern Ugandan conditions remains limited. This study therefore evaluated the effect of Mucuna pruriens intercropping on Striga hermonthica infestation, sorghum growth and grain yield in Eastern Uganda. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with five treatments and three replications at Busitema University, Arapai Campus, and a farmer field in Amuria District. Treatments comprised Mucuna between one sorghum row (T1), sole sorghum (T2), Mucuna + Desmodium (T3), Desmodium between one sorghum row (T4), and Mucuna between two sorghum rows (T5). Data were collected on Striga infestation, sorghum growth and yield components and analyzed using analysis of variance, with treatment means separated using least significant difference at 5% probability. The results showed significant differences among treatments in Striga incidence and number of Striga plants per quadrat. The highest Striga incidence occurred in the sole sorghum control (35.95%), while Mucuna + Desmodium recorded the lowest (2.43%), followed by T1 (11.13%), T4 (12.65%) and T5 (22.10%). Similarly, Striga count was highest in the control (4.17 plants per quadrat) and lowest under Mucuna + Desmodium (0.73 plants per quadrat). Intercropping significantly influenced sorghum growth, with Mucuna + Desmodium producing the tallest plants (97.74 cm), compared with 74.52 cm under sole sorghum. Grain yield also differed significantly, with Mucuna + Desmodium recording the highest yield of 2.17 t ha⁻¹, followed by Desmodium (1.77 t ha⁻¹), one-row Mucuna (1.45 t ha⁻¹), two-row Mucuna (1.30 t ha⁻¹), and sole sorghum recording the lowest yield (0.97 t ha⁻¹). Overall, Mucuna + Desmodium provided the most effective combination of Striga suppression and improved sorghum productivity. The findings demonstrate the potential of integrating Mucuna with Desmodium as a sustainable strategy for managing Striga and enhancing sorghum production among smallholder farmers in Eastern Uganda.
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Undergraduate research report
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Citation
Eluga, F. (2026). Effect of mucuna intercropping on striga hermonthica infestation on growth and yield of sorghum in eastern Uganda. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.