An experiment is a question which science poses to nature, and a measurement is the recording of nature’s answer
by ISTVS
“An experiment is a question which science poses to nature, and a measurement is the recording of nature’s answer”
Third year students taking part in data collection during the research
Parthenium known as “Keligii/Kelidii noole” in somali, is an invasive weed affecting crop production in Somaliland. Sorghum is one of the crops that is affected by the weed. This poses a threat to livelihoods in a country that largely depends on the crop for food and animal feed.
Studies done at ISTVS indicate that Parthenium affects sorghum production as early as at seed germination stage. The weed does this through production of allelochemicals which either hinders germination completely or reduce crop seedling performance.
Seedling performance under different extracts of parthenium compared to water
Preliminary findings indicate that different parts of Parthenium weed exert varying levels of effects to both the seed and the seedling. Seeds grown in water (control) had the best performance compared to those germinated in leaf, stem and root extracts that showed significant reduction in germination, vigour and tolerance. Seedlings germinated in the leaf extracts registered significantly higher levels of phytotoxicity compared to the rest of the treatments.
Current study aims to screen different sorghum genotypes against the effects of Parthenium weed. The objective of the study is to evaluate the response of the genotypes for potential tolerance traits to Parthenium. This will help inform future sorghum improvement programs.
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