The effects of tillage on weed suppressive ability, leaf area, seed yield and protein content of Mucuna pruriens var. utilis

Panagiotis Kanatas,Ioanna Kakabouki,Sofia Kioussi,Ioannis Gazoulis,Ilias Travlos,Evgenia Mpampanioti

doi:10.15835/nbha48211887

Panagiotis Kanatas, Ioanna Kakabouki + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha48211887

Copy DOI

Abstract

In the field of the Agricultural University of Athens, the effects of tillage on weed suppressive ability, leaf area, seed yield and protein content of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) were evaluated under the climatic conditions of Greece. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The three experimental treatments were: control (untreated), one hoeing for weed seedlings’ elimination at 7 days after sowing, and two hoeings for weed seedlings’ elimination at 7 and 15 days after sowing. Findings revealed that one hoeing reduced annual weeds’ density by 42% as compared to control treatment. Two hoeings resulted in a 47% lower density for annual species as compared to the untreated check. The density of perennial weeds recorded in the plots of one-hoeing treatment was 52% lower than the value recorded in the plots of control treatment. It was also shown that two hoeings can result in a 61% lower density regarding perennial species. Regarding velvet bean’s vegetation growth, one hoeing increased velvet bean leaf area per plant by 26% whereas, in the plots of two-hoeings treatment, the value of leaf area per plant was by 22-36% higher than the corresponding value recorded in untreated control plots. Two hoeings can increase velvet beans seed yield by 44% as well as seeds’ protein content by 17%. Further research is needed to optimize the use of velvet bean as a cover crop and seek for agronomic practices that might enhance its competitiveness against both annual and perennial weed species.

Highlights

Mucuna pruriens var. utilis, widely known as velvet bean, is a vigorous annual climbing legume originally from southern China and eastern India, where it was at one time widely cultivated as a green vegetable crop (Duke, 1981)
Further research is needed to optimize the use of velvet bean as a cover crop and seek for agronomic practices that might enhance its competitiveness against both annual and perennial weed species
The results of the current study revealed that tillage can be a very effective strategy against weed infestation in velvet bean and result in greater weed suppression

Summary

Introduction

Mucuna pruriens var. utilis, widely known as velvet bean, is a vigorous annual climbing legume originally from southern China and eastern India, where it was at one time widely cultivated as a green vegetable crop (Duke, 1981). Among the various under-utilized wild legumes, velvet bean is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is cultivated in Asia, America, Africa, and the Pacific Islands, where its pods are used as a vegetable for human consumption, and its young leaves are used as animal fodder (Lampariello et al, 2012). It is considered a viable source of dietary proteins (Janardhanan et al, 2003; Pugalenthi et al, 2005) due to its high protein concentration (≥ 23%) and digestibility, which are comparable to that of other pulses such. Received in revised form: 13 May 2020.

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion