Riga infestation on maize productionStriga parasitism is a limiting factor to maize (Zea mays L.) cropping inside the savannah zones of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) which constitutes the maize belt in the sub-region (Runo Kuria, 2018). About 75 of cultivated land with maize in SSA is endemic to S. hermonthica (Akaogu et al., 2019). Maize yield losses under extreme Striga infestation can be as higher as one hundred (Figure 1) and are economically estimated to 7 billion within the SSA alone (Spallek et al., 2013). The Striga trouble has been worsened by the rising mono-cropping practice instead of rotation and intercropping systems, human demographic stress on readily available land exactly where up to 300 million farmers have been exposed towards the Striga infestation in SSA (Badu-Apraku Fakorede, 2017). Challenges in managing Striga infestation cause agricultural land abandonment in a number of West African nations like Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Togo (Atera Itoh, 2011; Badu-Apraku, 2010; BaduApraku et al., 2014). Consequently, this has threatened meals safety and livelihoods of millions farmers in most countries in this region (Menkir et al., 2020).2.2|Biology and Striga spp. life cycleLife cycle of Striga is synchronized to that of its host and involves mechanisms that coordinate lifecycles of both the parasite and the host (Bouwmeester et al., 2003). Striga life cycle commonly involves: germination, host attachment, formation of haustoria, penetration and establishment of vascular connections, nutrients accumulation, flowering and seed production (Parker Riches, 1993) (Figure 2). Germination of Striga seedsF I G U R E 1 Maize field devastated by S. hermonthica in the North of Benin Republic Source: Yacoubou (2018)YACOUBOU et Al.|F I G U R E 2 The life cycle of S. hermonthica on a susceptible host. CaSR list stages indicated: A = after-ripening and MMP-10 Compound conditioning of S. hermonthica seed, B = germination of S. hermonthica seed, C = haustorial initiation and attachment of S. hermonthica to the host followed by a period of development underground, D = emergence of S. hermonthica plants from the soil, E = flowering, insect pollination, seed set and dispersal. Duration of every single phase on the life cycle is indicated. Source: Hearne (2001) [Colour figure may be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]depends around the presence of hormones known as strigolactones which are made by the host and in other situations non-host species (Spallek et al., 2013). With the presence of strigolactones, parasite seedlings attach towards the host and form vascular connections depriving it of its water, carbohydrates and minerals (Yoshida Shirasu, 2009). Beneath stressful circumstances plant roots exude strigolactone hormone to market symbiotic connection with soil microbes for mineral nutrient scavenging (Steven, 2014). Parasitic plants including Striga hermonthica have exploited these strigolactone hormones as signals to stimulate the germination of their seeds (Runo et al., 2012) (Figure 3). In the course of early stages of seed development, before emergence, the parasite depends entirely on the host plant (Webb Smith, 1996). At this stage of subterranean development, S. hermonthica inflicts maximum damage for the maize plant. The adverse impact of Striga on maize is manifested as stunting, chlorotic and necrotic lesions on the leaves and reduction of ear size and grain yield (Adetimirin et al., 2000). Striga spp. take about 40 weeks to complete its life cycle just after emergence and this completion commonly happens a.