EMERGENCE AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF MIMOSA DIPLOTRICHA C. WRIGHT EX SAUVALLE AND ITS COMPETITION WITH GARDEN EGG IN RESPONSE TO SAWDUSTAND PALM KERNELSHELLMULCH

Abstract

The influx and destructive characteristic of Mimosa diplotricha weed in most farming land in the humid tropical agroecosystems calls for sustainable control. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of sawdust and palm kernel shell mulch (1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 tonnes per hectare) and unmulched (control) on M. diplotricha weed emergence and seedling growth in a garden egg farm at the Imo State University, Botanical garden, in 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. The effects of the two mulches and M. diplotricha on garden egg performance and yield were quantified. A randomized complete block design(RCBD) with three replicates in two growing seasons was developed. Results showed that palm kernel shell and sawdust mulch reduced M. diplotricha emergence, root and shoot lengths, and biomass in both experimental years compared to unmulched soil, while, on the other hand, increased the garden egg biomass, leaf area, and fruit yield. The performance of M. diplotricha and garden eggs was unaffected by either of the research years but was impacted by mulch volume. Therefore, M. diplotricha emergence in the garden egg farm can be suppressed by the application of a thick volume of rice husk and palm kernel shell mulch and may lead to a profitable garden egg production system, and a reduction in future weed infestation. In addition, these agro-waste mulch could be used as a non[1]chemical and sustainable weed management approach that could help to decrease the use of synthetic herbicides and manual labour.