Data refer to a range of maize genotypes derived from the Malawian public research system and private seed sector and genotypes derived from an international non-profit organization, IITA, based in Nigeria. A total of 22 genotypes were grown on S. hermonthica infested soils at four sites in Kenya (2017), and on S. asiatica infested soils at three sites in Malawi, during two cropping seasons (2017, 2018). Maximum aboveground Striga plant numbers and maize grain yields (in Malawi only) were assessed from fields and strigolactone profiling of root exudates of these genotypes was done in the lab. Details can be found in the published paper and in the meta data sheet of the dataset.