Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 10(1): 442 - 448. Published October 2008.
Growth of Mucuna accessions under fallow and their influence on soil and weeds in a sub-humid savanna environment
Avav T., Shave PA. and Hilakaan PH.
*Department of Crop and Environmental Protection, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria
Corresponding author e–mail:teravav@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the growth and influence of Mucuna species on soils and weed growth in fallow land.
Methodology and results: Growth of Mucuna cochinchinensis, M. jaspaeda, M .pruriens var. utilis, M. veracruz (black seeded), and M.veracruz (white seeded), and their influence on soil fertility and weed growth were studied under fallow. Over 60% of the fallow weeds were grasses of which 71% were perennials. Andropogon gayanus, Paspalum orbiculare, Digitaria horizontalis, and Rottboellia cochinchinensis were the dominant grasses, while Tephrosea bracteolata and Tridax procumbens were the dominant broadleaved weeds. Germinability differed significantly (P < 0.05) between the Mucuna accessions from 58% in M. veracruz (black seeded) to 83% in M. cochinchinensis. M. cochinchinensis had highest leaf area index (LAI, 15.5), dry matter (5 t/ha) and ground cover (80%), and its canopy persisted for 15 weeks after planting (WAP). All the accessions except M. pruriens var. utilis suppressed over 50% of the dry weed weight with the highest reduction (80%) by M. cochinchinensis. The soil pH was reduced, while organic matter, available P and the cation exchange capacity (CEC) were higher in soils planted with Mucuna.
Conclusion and application of findings: Mucuna species (M. cochinchinensis best bet) can be adopted by farmers for soil fertility improvement and weed suppression in traditional farming systems in the sub-humid savanna zones of the tropics.
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