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Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) - Call for papers!

The Allelopathic Potential of Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] for Weed Management

(Philippines), Master of Science in Botany (University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Abstract:

 

The application of allelopathy as an alternative strategy that may be included in an integrated weed management package is a current trend in weed science. In this research, the potential of sweet potato allelopathy was investigated. A greenhouse study showed that sweet potato cultivars, SG 94-17-17, UPL Sp 3 (tinipay), UPL Sp 4, UPL Sp 1 (kinabakab), and UPL Sp 6 (PSB Sp 17 or 88 WS 636) inhibited the growth of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) but the latter was the most suppressive. Laboratory bioassays showed that common purslane (Portulaca oloracea L.) was responsive to the allelopathic, specifically the inhibitory, capacity of sweet potato. Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) were partially sensitive but crowfoot grass [Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Beauv.] and barnyard grass [Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv.] were not. Folin-Ciocalteu method detected high total phenolic content in the sweet potato soils that was correlated with the seedling growth of the bioassay species. Based from these results, the allelopathic interactions of sweet potato with other plants could be applied for weed management.