Mulching and soil amendments effects on weed growth and corn (Zea mays L.) yield in organic production system
2024
Mudita, I.I.
Managing weeds remains one of the greatest challenges among organic farmers due to limited alternatives to herbicides. Two studies were conducted at the University of the Philippines Los Baos in 2023 to: (1)determine the effects of organic soil amendments on the emergence and growth of selected weeds species under greenhouse conditions (2)determine the effects of organic mulches on weed growth in an organic corn production system and (3)evaluate the effect of soil amendments and organic mulches on the growth and yield of corn in an organic setting. Seven weed species were grown in the greenhouse, and vermicompost of vermitea was applied. For the field experiment, vermicompost or vermitea were combined with mulches, Gliricidia (Gliricidia) sepium (Jacq.) Walp or Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach), hand weeding and an unweeded control. The greenhouse study showed that application of vermicompost enhanced weed emergence and production of more leaves, tillers and branches, stimulated early flowering and increased height of certain weed species. Whereas the field study showed that vermicompost+ Napier grass mulch resulted in the tallest corn plants (231 cm). Soil amendment and its interaction with weed management strategy had no effect on percent weed cover, weed biomass, number, length and diameter of ears of corn, one thousand grains weight and grain yield of corn. Gliricidia and Napier grasses mulches reduced weed cover and weed biomass. The two organic mulches, similarity to hand weeding, resulted in more corn ears, which were longer and wider, and heaviest one thousand grains, while corn grain yield was more than 3-field compared to the unweeded. It is therefore recommended to practice mulching using non-conventional (organic) materials such as Gliricidia and Napier grass for weed management in organic corn production, where hand weeding is a common practice and has many challenges.
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