LIVE-MULCHS FOR WEED MANAGEMENT IN MANGO (Mangifera indica L.) cv. MANILA

Abstract

The constant use of agrochemicals has strongly impacted ecosystems, thus, production paradigms need to be changed using sustainable methodologies that ensure the protection of natural resources and living beings. The objective of this study was to compare two live soil mulches (Mucuna pruriens L. and Clitoria ternatea L.) and one plastic soil mulch for weed management, and their impact on the preservation of soil macrofauna and microflora in a mango orchard. One 3.5 year-old mango orchard with a density of 1250 trees ha-1 was used in the study. A randomized block design with treatments arranged in split plot was used. Variables evaluated were percentage of weeds and living mulch, weed height and plant cover, soil macrofauna and soil microflora. Mucuna pruriens had 80 % efficiency in controlling weeds, and in C. ternatea efficiency was 60 %. Mucuna pruriens had higher longitudinal growth than C. ternatea. Regarding macrofauna, M. pruriens increased the populations of individuals per m-2 with values of 225 individuals, and fungi populations were 9.5x107 MFU g-1 of soil. The use of live mulchs between rows of mango is an alternative to suppress weeds and improve soil biological conditions.