Effect of weed control on the growth dynamics of mixed cover crops
1992
Basuki | Sumaryono (Pusat Penelitian Perkebunan Bogor (Indonesia))
To ensure the successful establishment of leguminous cover crops in plantation, prevention and inhibition of weed growth are important measures. Weed control in the early growth phase either manually or chemically enables the legumes to capture the growth area immediately. The effect of the two weed control methods on growth of legumes has not been reported in detail. A field experiment has been conducted for 11 months to determine the effect of weed control by manual and chemical means using alachlor and isouron on the growth dynamics of mixed leguminous cover crops (Calopogonium mucunoides + Pueraria phaseoloides + Centrosema pubescens). The results showed that the three methods were equally effective in the control of weeds growth, but affected the growth dynamics of mixed cover crops differently. Under both manual control and alachlor treatment, C. mucunoides was dominant during the early six months and was later replaced by P. phaseoloides, C. pubescens grew slowly during the experimental period, making up a small portion in determining total biomass. On the other hand, under isouron treatment growth of C. mucunoides was inhibited during its early growth. In contrast, C. pubescens became dominant during the first four months and was later replaced by C. mucunoides. In all treatments P. phaseoloides grew slowly during the first five months but became dominant after seven months. Considering the rate of land coverage, the mixed cover crops grew faster under manual and alachlor than that of isouron treatment
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