Desmodium also controls the parasitic weed, Striga, resulting in significant yield increases of about 2 tonnes/hectare (0.9 short tons per acre) per cropping season. In addition to benefits derived from increased nitrogen availability and competition for light, it was found that D. uncinatum strongly suppresses striga growth through allelopathy. These effects are thought to be related to isoflavanones produced in Desmodium roots, which can either promote the germination of striga seeds or inhibit seedling growth, depending on their structure. Together, these effects result in the phenomenon known as "suicidal germination", thus reducing the striga seed bank in the soil.  Other Desmodium species have also been evaluated and have similar effects on stemborers and striga weed and are currently being used as intercrops in maize, sorghum and millets.