Author(s)

Rudo Musango^1*, Josephine T. Pasipanodya², Tana Tamado^3,4, Stanford Mabasa⁵, William Makaza⁶

¹African Center of Excellence for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, Haramaya University, Ethiopia, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
²Faculty of Agriculture, Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.
³School of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
⁵Department of Plant Production Sciences and Technologies, University of Zimbabwe, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
⁶School of Agriculture, Fertilization and Environmental Science, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco.

Bambara groundnut (BGN) is a protein-rich pulse with the ability to lead to more climate-resilient agriculture. The objective of this study was to review Alectra vogelii as a potential threat to BGN production as a result of climate change. However, the crop faces biotic and abiotic stresses. Alectra vogelii is a major biotic constraint to BGN production, especially in Africa’s non-fertile semi-arid regions. Alectra vogelii (L.) Benth is a parasitic weed in the Orobanchaceae family that causes major damage by forming haustoria attached to roots to enable absorption of nutrients from the BGN. Alectra vogelii produces a large number of minute seeds that can live in the soil for up to 20 years. Based on the reviewed literature, various control mechanisms for dealing with the harmful effects of Alectra vogelii have been proposed. The aim of this research was to reveal the effect of Alectra vogelii on BGN and possible control strategies. We discuss the different control methods such as cultural and mechanical management procedures, phosphorus fertilizers and resistant host crops, herbicide use, and integrated Alectra vogelii control methods. In adaptive methods, however, new techniques remain important. The life cycle of root parasitic weeds is inextricably linked to that of their host, making it an ideal target for such new control techniques, especially when aimed at the early stages of the host-parasite relationship. This review reveals additional information on the function of parasitic seed, strigolactones and how they can be used in breeding to management parasitic weeds.

Global Climate Change, Alectra vogelii, Strigolactones, Parasitic Weed, Bambara Groundnut, Host Plant Resistance, Control Strategies

Musango, R. , Pasipanodya, J. , Tamado, T. , Mabasa, S. and Makaza, W. (2022) Alectra vogelii: A Threat to Bambara Groundnut Production under Climate Change: A Review Paper. Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment, 11, 83-105. doi: 10.4236/jacen.2022.112006.