Allelopathic potential of Cover Crops in Control of Shrubby False Buttonweed (Spermacoce verticillata)

• Published in: Advances in Weed Science 2018-01, Vol.36
• Main Authors: VARGAS, L.A., PASSOS, A.M.A., KARAM, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural practices; Agricultural production; Agrochemicals; Allelochemicals; Allelopathy; Cajanus cajan; Canavalia ensiformis; Cover crops; crop control; Crops; Crotalaria juncea; Design of experiments; Experimental design; Germination; Herbicides; Jack beans; leguminous; PLANT SCIENCES; sandwich method; Seeds; Sorghum; Spermacoce verticillata; Straw; Sustainability; Sustainable agriculture; Tillage; Urochloa; Weeds
• ISSN: 0100-8358; 1806-9681; 1806-9681; 2675-9462
• DOI: 10.1590/s0100-83582018360100052

Searching for alternatives to deal with weeds without the exclusive use of herbicides can increase the sustainability of agricultural production in the Amazon region. This study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic potential of cover crops on the weed shrubby false buttonweed (Spermacoce verticillata L.). Three straw levels (1; 2.5 and 5 mg cm-2) of thirteen cover crops (Cajanus cajan, Canavalia ensiformis, Crotalaria juncea, C. ochroleuca, C. spectabilis, Mucuna aterrima, M. cinereum, Pennisetum glaucum, Sorghum bicolor, S. sudanense, Urochloa brizanha cv. Xaraés, U. brizantha cv. Piatã and U. ruziziensis) were assessed on germination and initial growth of weed and lettuce. We carried out two experiments (weed and lettuce) in a factorial scheme (cover crops x straw levels) with additional treatment (control without straw) in a completely randomized experimental design, with four replicates. The straw of the cover crops inhibited the germination and initial growth of the target plants. The highest straw levels promoted 44.0 and 78.8% reductions in radicle length in relation to the lowest dose (1 mg cm-2), for lettuce and Spermacoce verticillata, respectively. The highest sensitivity to allelochemicals occurred on the radicle. The major suppressive effects on weed germination were promoted by Cajanus cajan, Urochloa brizanha cv. Xaraés, Mucuna cinereum, M. aterrima, Canavalia ensiformis, Crotalaria juncea, C. spectabilis and U. ruziziensis. Cover crops use is an integrated practice management to control Spermacoce verticillata under no-tillage system. RESUMO: A busca por alternativas no manejo de plantas daninhas sem a utilização exclusiva de herbicidas pode contribuir para aumento da sustentabilidade na produção agrícola na região Amazônica. Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar o potencial alelopático de plantas de cobertura, sobre a planta daninha vassourinha-de-botão (Spermacoce verticillata L.). Três níveis de palhada (1; 2,5 e 5 mg cm-2) de treze plantas de cobertura (Cajanus cajan, Canavalia ensiformis, Crotalaria juncea, C. ochroleuca, C. spectabilis, Mucuna aterrima, M. cinereum, Pennisetum glaucum, Sorghum bicolor, S. sudanense, Urochloa brizanha cv. Xaraés, U. brizantha cv. Piatã e U. ruziziensis) foram avaliados, sobre a germinação e o crescimento inicial da planta daninha e da alface. Dois experimentos foram instalados (planta daninha e alface) em esquema fatorial (plantas de cobertura x níveis de palhada) com tratamento adicional (testemunha sem pal