Current progress in Striga management

Abstract

The Striga, particularly S. he rmonthica, problem has become a major threat to food security, exacerbating hunger and poverty in many African countries. A number of Striga control strategies have been proposed and tested during the past decade, however, further research efforts are still needed to provide sustainable and effective solutions to the Striga problem. In this paper, we provide an update on the recent progress and the approaches used in Striga management, and highlight emerging opportunities for developing new technologies to control this enigmatic parasite.

Figure 1

List of complementary approaches for Striga control. Methods depicted are used either for prevention and containment of Striga infestation, or for depletion of accumulated seed banks.

Figure 2

Structure of germination stimulants and further chemicals used in Striga control. A, Structure of the SL analogs GR24, Nijmegen-1, 4-Br debranone, AR8, MP13, Nitro-phenlactone, MP1, and Sphynolactone-7. B, Structure of TIS13, TIS108, two inhibitors of SL biosynthesis. C, Structure of the SL antagonists Soporidine, 2-methoxy-1-naphthaldehyde, TFQ0011, KK094, Triton X-100, and KK023-N1. D, Structure of zaxinone and its mimic MiZax3, which act as growth-promoting compounds (biostimulants) and negative regulator of SL biosynthesis at transcript level in rice.