Two intercropping trials were established in 1985–1986 to compare the effects of inter‐row intercropping, intra‐row intercropping, and sole cropping of sorghum and groundnuts on emergency ofStrigashoots on sorghum. Intra‐row intercropping reduced density ofStrigasignificantly when compared with sole cropping of sorghum. This effect appeared to be soil temperature‐mediated. Soil temperatures in intra‐row intercropping were 2 °C lower and closer to the minimum threshold of 30 °C than in sole sorghum during the peak period of germination.