Potential of Aqueous Extracts from Parts of the Pepper Tree (Schinus molle L.) to Affect Emergence and Seedling Development of Wheat (Triticum sativa L.) and Weeds in a Manure Amended Soil~!2008-09-12~!2008-11-15~!2008-12-05~!

Simeon A Materechera,Malipholo E Hae

doi:10.2174/1874331500802010099

Abstract

The allelopathic potential of aqueous extracts from fruits, leaves, roots and bark of the pepper tree (Schinus molle L.) were investigated on emergence and seedling development of wheat (Triticum sativa L.) and agricultural weeds. Different concentrations of the original extract (undiluted, 1:1, 1:3 and water, v/v) were applied to a soil amended with cattle manure in 2-litre pots. Extracts from all the tree parts significantly (p < 0.05) reduced seedling emergence, height and dry matter yields of wheat and weed seedlings compared to the control (water). The inhibitory effects on both wheat and weed seedlings were consistently in the order fruit=leaves >roots>bark. The inhibitory effects were however progressively reduced by diluting the original extracts suggesting that there was reduction in the concentration of the compounds inhibiting the emergence and development of seedlings.

Highlights

Worldwide, weeds and weed control have become a major cost factor determining the economic profitability of crop production [1]
The study has shown that parts of the pepper tree may contain certain phytotoxins that inhibit the emergence and growth of wheat and weed seedlings
The potency of the phytotoxin in the different parts of the tree were in the order fruit=leaves >roots>bark

Summary

Introduction

Weeds and weed control have become a major cost factor determining the economic profitability of crop production [1]. Weed control is costly as it demands the use of labour and chemicals both of which are usually less affordable resources for most small-scale farmers in developing countries. The use of allelopathy for weed management has received strong attention in recent times [3,4,5,6,7]. This is because phytotoxins are considered to be more environmental friendly as opposed to synthetic chemicals of which some have been shown to contaminate water and soil resources thereby constituting risk to human and animal health [8]. The use of natural substances from plants is seen as a low input and sustainable approach to integrated weed management [9,10,11]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion