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Improvement of Food Security in Semi-arid Regions of Sudan through Management of Root Parasitic Weeds

Bioresources

The Republic of the Sudan

Terminated

Improvement of Food Security in Semi-arid Regions of Sudan through Management of Root Parasitic Weeds

Managing Striga(Witchweed)

Principal Investigator

- Prof.
  SUGIMOTO Yukihiro
  Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University

ODA Recipient Country

The Republic of the Sudan

Research Institutions in Japan

Kobe University

Research Institutions in Counterpart Country

Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST)

Adoption fiscal year

FY 2009

Research Period

5 Years

Overview of the Research Project

Parasitic plants cause enormous damage to crops in arid regions
Sudan has vast areas of potential cropland, but has been suffering from the devastating effects of the root parasitic weeds of the genus Striga, commonly known as witchweeds. The parasites are widespread in the arid and semiarid regions in Africa on economically important food crops, sapping them of nutrients and water and thus causing serious losses in grain yields. The aim of this project is to i ) identify novel compounds or microorganisms capable of modulating Striga germination, ii ) develop effective management strategies and iii) introduce crops resistance to the parasites.

Combining traditional knowledge and cutting edge technology to manage Striga
We, in collaboration with Sudanese scientists, are developing substances that induce self-destruction in Striga and conducting research on reducing damage by appropriate water management. We interviewed local inhabitants to acquire knowledge on traditional Striga and crop management practices. Farmers field schools have been initiated to transfer available Striga management technologies. We are aiming to boost and stabilize food production in Sudan, and eventually spread the developed technologies across sub-Saharan Africa.

Photo gallery

Japanese knowledge regarding Striga being passed on to Sudanese researchers at a laboratory established by the project in the Sudan University of Science and Technology