New sorghums combat witchweed. Validated RNRRS Output.
Abstract
This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID's 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.
Principally based on Projects R6291, R6654 and R7564. Small farmers in dry areas of Tanzania can now grow sorghum again. Previously, rampant witchweed stifled their crops of sorghum and maize, so they had to grow pearl millet and cassava instead. Now they plant two new varieties of sorghum that are resistant to witchweed. And they apply manure as another weed deterrent. Farmers themselves tested the new varieties of sorghum. The ones they chose, as well as doing well where there's witchweed, are drought-tolerant and mature early, yield well and are good to eat. When farmers apply manure, yields are a quarter to half as much again. These two varieties are now registered and formally released, and farmers in Tanzania are already using them.
The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (10 pp.) taken from the CD.
Citation
CPP78, New technologies, new processes, new policies: tried-and-tested and ready-to-use results from DFID-funded research, Research Into Use Programme, Aylesford, Kent, UK, ISBN 978-0-9552595-6-2, p 29.