Allelopathic Potential of Velvet Bean against Rigid Ryegrass

Abstract

Environmental concerns and several adverse effects of reliance on and improper use of pesticides make necessary the use of alternative methods. Allelopathy has a rather unexploited potential in integrated weed management and ought to be further studied. The allelopathic effects of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. utilis) on seedling emergence and first growth of the important weed rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum L.) were evaluated in a pot experiment conducted at Agricultural University of Athens. Leaf residues of velvet bean were used to determine their inhibitory potential on seedling emergence and growth parameters including height, leaf number, tillering and fresh and dry weight of rigid ryegrass. Moreover, the allelopathic potential of inflorescence residues of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) on rigid ryegrass was also evaluated. Our results revealed a significant weed suppressive ability of the studied plants. The plant residues incorporated into the soil significantly reduced the seedling emergence and growth parameters of rigid ryegrass as compared to the control. In particular, velvet bean's residues also reduced height, leaf number and biomass of rigid ryegrass up to 26, 51 and 62%, respectively. The indicated allelopathic activity of velvet bean and chia could be further exploited in future studies, by using either allelochemicals as models for future herbicides or the plants as useful cover crops or mulches in terms of integrated weed management.

Crop Diversification for Improved Weed Management: A Review

“…var. utilis) has allelopathic potential and can help to reduce rigid ryegrass biomass, height, and leaf number [153] * All diversification strategies were used in combination with a suitable herbicide program.…”

Potential role of Eucalyptus spp. and Acacia spp. allelochemicals in weed management

“…Methyl cinnamate can also significantly reduce L. rigidum seed germination and root length when applied at 640 nL cm -3 (Vasilakoglou et al, 2013). Given that L. rigidum is a noxious weed species infesting cereal crops with remarkable ability to evolve multiple herbicide patterns to up to 14 different modes of action, the use of allelochemical extracts from plants pose as an alternative and attractive option for its control (Adler and Chase, 2007;Heap, 2014;Travlos et al, 2018).…”

Profiles of Compounds in Stover of Rice, Cymbopogon, Desmodium, Mucuna and Maize

“…Yoshiharu (2003) reported that incorporation of fresh leaves of Mucuna pruriens into the soil (1.0%) w/w in dry weight equivalent reduced succeeding emergence of Phaseolus vulgaris up to 60% and plant biomass up to 30% of the control. Travlos et al (2018) similarly reported that velvet bean's residues reduced height, leaf number and biomass of rigid ryegrass up to 26, 51 and 62%, respectively. L-DOPA inhibited the growth of some companion plants, and that it probably contributed to its allelopathy.…”

“…Mucuna stover produced two terpenoids and four phenols but similar compounds had not been reported in literature. L-DOPA, a phenolic compound was reported as the dominant compound in mucuna vegetative parts (Vadivel & Pugalethi, 2008;Travlos et al, 2018). Mucuna stover was observed to reduce root growth of lettuce seedlings by Tomita (2003).…”