Isoschaftoside, a C-glycosylflavonoid from Desmodium uncinatum root exudate, is an allelochemical against the development of Striga

Intercropping maize with the cattle forage legume, Desmodium uncinatum (left in photograph) prevents parasitism by striga, Striga hermonthica, by an allelopathic mechanism. Maize monocrop (right in photograph) shows heavy damage as seen by the stunted maize growth and mature striga plants in this demonstration at Mbita Point Field Station, Kenya. Isoschaftoside, isolated from the root extract and root exudate of desmodium is shown to interfere with radicle development of striga.