Assessing the growth potential of Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) as a cover crop for major coconut-growing soils
Vol 6, Issue 2, 2023
VIEWS - 286 (Abstract) 197 (PDF)
Abstract
The coconut industry has deep historical and economic importance in Sri Lanka, but coconut palms are vulnerable to water stress exacerbated by environmental challenges. This study explored using Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) in major coconut-growing soils in Sri Lanka to improve resilience to water stress. The study was conducted at the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka to evaluate the growth of Sunn hemp in prominent coconut soils—gravel, loamy, and sandy—to determine its cover crop potential. Sunn hemp was planted in pots with the three soil types, arranged in a randomized, complete design with 48 replicates. Growth parameters like plant height, shoot/root dry weight, root length, and leaf area were measured at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after planting. Soil type significantly impacted all growth parameters. After 8 weeks, sandy soil showed the highest plant height and root length, while loamy soil showed the highest shoot/root dry weight and leaf area, followed by sandy and gravel soils. Nitrogen content at 6 and 8 weeks was highest in loamy soil plants. In summary, Sunn hemp produces more biomass in sandy soils, while loamy soils promote greater nutrient accumulation and growth. This suggests the suitability of Sunn hemp as a cover crop across major coconut-growing soils in Sri Lanka, improving resilience.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
1. Aiome GVN, Fernando SP, Kuruppu V, et al. Impact of Home Garden Coconut Cultivation on Coconut Kernel-based Industries in Sri Lanka. Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute; 2021.
2. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Annual report 2020. Available online: https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/publications/economic-and-financial-reports/annual-reports/annual-report-2020 (accessed on 27 December 2023).
3. Gunasena HPM. Strategies for increasing food production in Sri Lanka. Some suggestions for government's food production drive. Economic Review 2008; 28–31.
4. Ganeva D, Grozeva S, Pevicharova G. Effect of reduced irrigation on flowering, fruit set and yield of indeterminate tomato. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering 2019; 8(2): 932–936. doi: 10.35940/ijrte.B1185.0782S419
5. Gomes FP, Prado CHBA. Ecophysiology of coconut palm under water stress. Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology 2007; 19(4): 377–391. doi: 10.1590/s1677-04202007000400008
6. Nuwarapaksha TD, Dissanayaka NS, Udumann SS, Atapattu AJ. Gliricidia as a beneficial crop in resource-limiting agroforestry systems in Sri Lanka. Indian Journal of Agroforestry 2023; 25(1): 12–18.
7. Atapattu AAAJ, Senarathne SHS, Raveendra SAST, et al. Effect of short term agroforestry systems on soil quality in marginal coconut lands in Sri Lanka. Agricultural Research Journal 2017; 54(3): 324. doi: 10.5958/2395-146x.2017.00060.6
8. Dissanayaka DMNS, Dissanayake DKRPL, Udumann SS, et al. Agroforestry—A key tool in the climate-smart agriculture context: A review on coconut cultivation in Sri Lanka. Frontiers in Agronomy 2023; 5. doi: 10.3389/fagro.2023.1162750
9. Nuwarapaksha T, Udumann S, Dissanayaka D, et al. Coconut based multiple cropping systems: An analytical review in Sri Lankan coconut cultivations. Circular Agricultural Systems 2022; 2(1): 1–7. doi: 10.48130/cas-2022-0008
10. Senarathne SHS. Influence of long term application of green manure on the productivity of coconut cultivated in reddish brown latosolic soils in Sri Lanka. Cord 2017; 33(2): 10. doi: 10.37833/cord.v33i2.49
11. Dissanayaka D, Nuwarapaksha T, Udumann S, et al. A sustainable way of increasing productivity of coconut cultivation using cover crops: A review. Circular Agricultural Systems 2022; 2(1): 1–9. doi: 10.48130/cas-2022-0007
12. Raveendra SAST, Nissanka SP, Somasundaram D, et al. Coconut-gliricidia mixed cropping systems improve soil nutrients in dry and wet regions of Sri Lanka. Agroforestry Systems 2021; 95(2): 307–319. doi: 10.1007/s10457-020-00587-2
13. Atapattu AAAJ, Pushpakumara DKNG, Rupasinghe WMD, et al. Potential of Gliricidia sepium as a fuelwood species for sustainable energy generation in Sri Lanka. Agricultural Research Journal 2017; 54(1): 34. doi: 10.5958/2395-146x.2017.00006.0
14. Senarathne SHS, Udumann SS. Effect of selected leguminous cover crop species on the productivity of coconut cultivated in reddish brown latosolic soils in Sri Lanka. Cord. 2022, 37: 33–44. doi: 10.37833/cord.v37i.435
15. Tesfaye G. Adoption and effect of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) on soil erosion in Somodo Watershed, South-Western Ethiopia. Open Access Library Journal 2018; 5(5): 84651. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1104431
16. Tian G, Hauser S, Koutika LS, et al. Pueraria cover crop fallow systems: Benefits and applicability. In: Tian G, Ishida F, Keatinge D, et al. (editors). Sustaining Soil Fertility in West Africa. Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy; 2015. pp. 137–155. doi: 10.2136/sssaspecpub58.ch7
17. Skinner EM, Díaz-Pérez JC, Phatak SC, et al. Allelopathic effects of sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) on germination of vegetables and weeds. HortScience 2012; 47(1): 138–142. doi: 10.21273/hortsci.47.1.138
18. Ekeleme F, Akobundu IO, Fadayomi RO, et al. Characterization of legume cover crops for weed suppression in the moist savanna of Nigeria. Weed Technology 2003; 17(1): 1–13. doi: 10.1614/0890-037X(2003)017[0001:COLCCF]2.0.CO;2
19. Balkcom K, Schomberg H, Reeves W, et al. Managing cover crops in conservation tillage systems. Managing Cover Crops Profitably 2007; 3: 44–61.
20. Mansoer Z, Reeves DW, Wood CW. Suitability of sunn hemp as an alternative late‐summer legume cover crop. Soil Science Society of America Journal 1997; 61(1): 246–253. doi: 10.2136/sssaj1997.03615995006100010034x
21. Arshad MA, Martin S. Identifying critical limits for soil quality indicators in agro-ecosystems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 2002; 88(2): 153–160. doi: 10.1016/s0167-8809(01)00252-3
22. Grossman RB, Reinsch TG. 2.1 bulk density and linear extensibility. In: Dane JH, Topp C (editors). Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 4 Physical Methods. Soil Science Society of America, Inc.; 2002. pp. 201–228. doi: 10.2136/sssabookser5.4.c9
23. Brady NC, Weil RR, Weil RR. The Nature and Properties of Soils. Prentice Hall; 2008. pp. 662–710.
24. Sullivan DM, Hull RJ. Soil test interpretation guide. Available online: https://www.canr.msu.edu/foodsystems/uploads/files/soil_test_interpretation.pdf (accessed on 27 December 2023).
25. Munns R, Tester M. Mechanisms of salinity tolerance. Annual Review of Plant Biology 2008; 59(1): 651–681. doi: 10.1146/annurev.arplant.59.032607.092911
26. Comas LH, Becker SR, Cruz VMV, et al. Root traits contributing to plant productivity under drought. Frontiers in Plant Science 2013; 4. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00442
27. Fierer N, Bradford MA, Jackson RB. Toward an ecological classification of soil bacteria. Ecology 2007; 88(6): 1354–1364. doi: 10.1890/05-1839
28. Bouyoucos GJ. Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analyses of soils. Agronomy Journal 1962; 54(5): 464–465. doi: 10.2134/agronj1962.00021962005400050028x
29. Munns R. Comparative physiology of salt and water stress. Plant, Cell & Environment 2002; 25(2): 239–250. doi: 10.1046/j.0016-8025.2001.00808.x
30. Hinsinger P, Gobran GR, Gregory PJ, et al. Rhizosphere geometry and heterogeneity arising from root‐mediated physical and chemical processes. New Phytologist 2005; 168(2): 293–303. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01512.x
31. Lambers H, Mougel C, Jaillard B, et al. Plant-microbe-soil interactions in the rhizosphere: An evolutionary perspective. Plant and Soil 2009; 321(1–2): 83–115. doi: 10.1007/s11104-009-0042-x
32. Tejada M, Gonzalez JL. Influence of two organic amendments on the soil physical properties, soil losses, sediments and runoff water quality. Geoderma 2008; 145(3–4): 325–334. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2008.03.020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24294/th.v6i2.3579
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.