Data and R scripts for: Identifying existing management practices in the control of Striga asiatica within rice–maize systems in mid-west Madagascar

Infestations by the parasitic weed genus Striga result in significant losses to cereal crop yields across sub-Saharan Africa. The problem disproportionately affects subsistence farmers who frequently lack access to novel technologies. Effective Striga management therefore requires the development of strategies utilising existing cultural management practices. We report a multi-year, landscape-scale monitoring project for Striga asiatica in the mid-west of Madagascar, undertaken over 2019-2020 with the aims of examining cultural, climatic and edaphic factors currently driving abundance and distribution. Long-distance transects were established across the middle-west region of Madagascar, over which Striga asiatica abundance in fields was estimated. Analysis of the data highlights the importance of crop variety and legumes in driving Striga density. Moreover, the dataset revealed significant effect of precipitation seasonality, mean temperature and altitude in determining abundance. A composite management index indicated the effect of a range of cultural practices on changes in Striga abundance. The findings support the assertion that single measures are not sufficient for the effective, long-term management of Striga. Furthermore, the composite score has potential as a significant guide of integrated Striga management beyond the geographic range of this study.寄生性杂草独脚金属（Striga）的侵染在整个撒哈拉以南非洲地区造成谷物作物产量的显著损失。该问题对自给自足型农户的影响尤为突出，而这些农户往往难以获取新型技术。因此，有效防控独脚金需要开发利用现有栽培管理措施的防控策略。本研究报道了2019-2020年间在马达加斯加中西部开展的一项多年度、景观尺度的亚洲独脚金（Striga asiatica）监测项目，旨在探究当前驱动其发生量与分布的栽培、气候及土壤（edaphic）因子。研究团队在马达加斯加中西部区域布设了长距离样带，用于估算农田内亚洲独脚金的发生量。数据分析结果表明，作物品种与豆科植物对独脚金种群密度具有重要影响。此外，本数据集还揭示出降水季节性、平均气温与海拔高度对独脚金发生量存在显著影响。综合管理指数可反映一系列栽培管理措施对独脚金发生量变化的影响。本研究结果证实，单一防控措施不足以实现独脚金的长期有效管理。此外，该综合得分在本研究覆盖区域之外的独脚金综合防控中，具备成为重要指导工具的潜力。