The incidence of Striga hermonthica was investigated on some Sorghum bicolor farms in Lafia, Nigeria. The quadrant sampling technique was used and a total of six plots of size 10m x 10m each were sampled randomly in three locations namely; Shabu, Shendam Road and Makurdi Road, encompassing Lafia North, East and Central respectively. Incidence parameters such as the number of Striga and Sorghum, the height of Striga, distance of Striga to infected Sorghum and height of Sorghum were documented. A total of 572 stands of Striga were counted in all sampled locations. Sorghum farms in Shabu had the highest mean population of Striga (261), followed by both Shendam and Makurdi Road with mean populations of 13 Striga each. Negative correlations were observed between height of Striga and height of infected Sorghum, as well as between number of Striga and number of Sorghum plants. Distance of Striga to infected Sorghum correlated positively with height of infected Sorghum. Positive correlation was also observed between number of Striga and height of infected Sorghum. Growth reduction and consequent loss of Sorghum yield due to activity of Striga require integrated management approaches for sustainable Sorghum production and yield improvement in the study area.
Key words: Incidence, Lafia, Parasitic Activity, Striga, Sorghum
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