Striking back at striga Striking back at striga Africa has 75 million hectares of land that can grow cereals, but two thirds of it is now infested with Striga hermonthica . Other species of striga parasitise leguminous crops such as cowpeas.
Biological control is just one of several options that are currently being assessed.
Parasitic fungi and bacteria have been isolated but further tests are required to make certain that they are specific to striga. In addition, ethylene-producing bacteria were found in the laboratory to be as effective as commercial products in stimulating the germination of parasite seeds.