| Asiatic witchweed | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Orobanchaceae |
| Genus: | Striga |
| Species: | S. asiatica |
| Binomial name | |
| Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze |
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| Synonyms | |
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Striga lutea |
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Asiatic witchweed (Striga asiatica) is a hemiparasitic plant in the Scrophulariaceae family. It is native to Asia and sub-Saharan Africa[1], but has been introduced into other parts of the world including Australia and the United States. Witchweed is a serious agricultural pest as it parasitises important crop species including corn, rice, sorghum, and sugar cane, often causing substantial yield reductions[2].
In the USA, witchweed was discovered in the Carolinas in 1955. It is considered an invasive agricultural pest, and a vigorous eradication campaign has reduced the affected area by 99 percent (from 450,000 acres (1,820 km2) to about 3,400 acres (14 km2))[3].
Biological control can be achieved by growing a Desmodium (tick-trefoil) undercrop (see push–pull technology. The trefoil can be used as green manure or animal fodder after the harvest.
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