Allelopathic Potential of Tithonia Diversifolia and Lantana Camara Leafy Materials on Germination and Growth of Sb 19 and Sb 97 Soybean Varieties

Soybean is a legume which is widely grown in western Kenya for its edible seed but their yields are reduced by the effect of low soil fertility. In Western Kenya, farmers are being encouraged to use shrubs as green manure such as Tithonia diversifolia and Lantana camara which have shown to improve soil fertility by 24% to 54%. Information available on their allelopathic potential on germination and growth of soybean is not exhaustive. The objectives of this study was to investigate the allelopathic effects of fresh leaf aqueous extracts and fresh leaf material of T. diversifolia and L. camara on germination of seeds, growth and yield of SB97 and SB19 soybean varieties. The experiments were carried out in the laboratory and greenhouse at Maseno University. In the lab, different concentrations of aqueous extracts, (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and the control- tap water was used. Germination experiment was set in petri dishes and growth, yield and physiological parameters was carried out in the green house. Fresh leaf material of T. diversifolia and L. camara of 4g, 8g, 12g and 16g was added to soil in pots. The control only composed soil. This was replicated four times and laid out in Completely Randomized Design. Data on germination count were recorded daily, while growth parameters were recorded weekly. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS 9.1 to establish significant differences among treatments, varieties and plant materials. The treatment means were separated and compared using the Least Significance Differences at P = 0.05. The results revealed that leaf extracts from Lantana camara and Tithonia diversifolia reduced the germination of both soybean varieties. These extracts contained bioactive compounds that inhibited germination, root and shoot growth and yield of Soybean varieties SB 19 and SB 97. Lantana camara exhibited stronger allelopathic activity than Tithonia diversifolia. On growth parameters, including shoot height, leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry weights, and yield, the presence of allelochemicals in the biomass was suggested to have hindered growth by disrupting enzyme activities and nutrient uptake. Farmers are therefore advised not to incorporate Lantana camara and Tithonia diversifolia leafy biomass in farms where soy bean varieties SB 19 and SB 97 are growing.

Allelopathic, leafy biomass, germination, growth, soybean

1. Ahmed, R., Uddin, M., B., Khan, M., A., S., A., Mukul, S., A. and Hossain, M., K. (2007). Allelopathic effects of Lantana camara on germination and growth behavior of some agricultural crops in Bangladesh. Journal of Forestry Research, 18; 301-304. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Akinfasoye, J., A., Ogunniyan, D., J., Akanbi, W., B. and Olufolagi, A. (2008). Effects of organic fertilizer and spacing on growth and yield of Lagos Spinach (Celosia argenteal). Journal of Science Research, 8; 1-12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Alves, L. L., Oliveira, P. V. A., França, S. C., Alves, P. L. C. and Pereira, P. S. (2011). Allelopathic activity of aqueous extracts of medicinal plants on the germination of Lactuca sativa L. and Bidens pilosa L. Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, 13; 328-336. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Arora, R., K. and Kohli, R., K. (1993). Autotoxic effect of decomposed leaf and infresence of Lantana camara on its seed germination parameters. Indian Journal of Ecology, 20(2); 109-112. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Bansal, G., L. (1998). Allelopathic effect of Lantana camara on rice and associated weeds under the mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh, India. In Proceedings of the Workshop on Allelopathy in Rice. Manila (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute, Pp. 133-138. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Barkosky, R., R. and Einhellig, F., A. (2003). Allelopathic interference of plant-water relationships by para-hydroxybenzoic acid. Botanical Bulletin of Academia Sinica, 44. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. da Mota, R., P., De Camargo, R., Lemes, E., M., Lana, R., M., Q., de Almeida, R., F., and de Moraes, E., R. (2019). Biosolid and sugarcane filter cake in the composition of organo mineral fertilizer on soybean responses. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 8; 131-137. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2015. Water Resources, Development and Management Service. CLIMWAT: A climatic database for CROPWAT. FAO Land and Water Development Division. http://www.fao.org/ag/AGL/AGLW/climwat.stm [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Gebreyohannes, L., Egigu, M., C., Manikandan, M. and Sasikumar, J., M. (2023). Allelopathic Potential of Lantana camara (L.) Leaf Extracts and Soils Invaded by it on the Growth Performance of Lepidium sativum (L.). The Scientific World Journal, 2023; 4-13. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Hassanain, N., Shehata, Z., A., Mokhtar, M., M., Shaapan, M., R., Zaky, S. (2019). Comparison between insecticidal activity of Lantana camara extract and its synthesized nanoparticles against anopheline mosquitoes. Pakistan Journal Biological Sciences, 22(7); 327-334. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Hossain, M., K. and Alam, M., N. (2010). Allelopathic effects of Lantana camara leaf extract on germination and growth behavior of some agricultural and forest crops in Bangladesh. Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research, 16(2);217-226 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Hussain, S., Siddiqui, S., U. Khalid, S., Jamal, A., Qayyum. A. and Ahmad, Z. (2007). Allelopathic potential of Senna (Cassia angustifolia (V.)) on germination and seedling characters of some major cereal crops and their associated grassy weeds. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 39(4); 1145-1153. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Illori., O., J., Otusanya, O., O., Adelusi, A., A. and Sanini, R..O. (2010). Allelopathic activities of some weeds in the steraceae family. International Journal, 61; 161-163. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Jama, B., Palm, C. A., Buresh, R. J., Niang, A., Gachengo, C., Nziguheba, G. and Amadalo, B. (2000). Tithonia diversifolia as a green manure for soil fertility improvement in western Kenya: A review. Agroforestry systems, 49; 201-221. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Janusauskaite, D. (2023).The Allelopathic Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Helianthus annuus (L.), Grown in Boreal Conditions, on Germination, Development, and Physiological Indices of Pisum sativum L. Plants, 12, 1920. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091920. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Kang, W., Zhu, X., Wang, Y., Chen, L. and Duan, Y. (2018). Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal that bacteria promote plant defense during infection of soybean cyst nematode in soybean. BMC Plant Biology, 18; 10-18. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Kato-Noguchi, H. (2020). Involvement of allelopathy in the invasive potential of Tithonia diversifolia. Plants, 9(6); 766. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Kayuki, K., C. and Wortmann, C., S. (2001). Plant materials for soil fertility management in sub-humid tropical areas. Agronomy Journal, 93; 929 – 935. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Lesser, S. (2013). The 2013 FAO report on dietary protein quality evaluation in human nutrition: Recommendations and implications. Nutrition Bulletin, 38(4), 421-428. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Matheri, F., Anne, K., K., Maina, M., Nehemiah, O., Edward, K., Noah, A., Elias, K. M., Edwin M., Chrysantus, T., Martha, W., M. and Steven, R. (2023). Composition, structure, and functional shifts of prokaryotic communities in response to co‑composting of various nitrogenous green feed stocks. BMC Microbiology, 23(50); 1-18 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Mbembe, E., A., Otieno, D., J., Nyikal, R. and Odendo, M. (2019). Determinants of Market Participation by Smallholder Soybean Farmers in Kakamega County, Kenya. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Musyimi, D., M. (2005).Evaluation of young avocado plants for tolerance to soil salinity by physiological parameters. Msc Thesis Maseno University, Kenya. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Musyimi, D., M., Okelo, L., O., Okello, V., S. and Sikuku, P., S. (2015). Allelopathic potential of Mexican sunflower [Tithonia diversifolia (H.)] on germination and growth of cowpea seedlings (Vigna sinensis L.). https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/2555 Accessed on: 27th July, 2023 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Nandal, D., P., S., Birla, S., S. and Narawal, S., S. (1998). Allelopathic interactions in agroforestry systems. Allelopathy in Agriculture and Forestry, 40(7); 93-130. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Nectarious, P., A., Economou, G. and Augoulas, C. (2005).Allelopathic effects of Pinus halepensi on Turf grasses and Bioensor plants. Horticultural Science, 40(1); 246-250. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Nyongesa, D., Mabele, R., B., Esilaba, A., O. and Mutoni, C., K. (2017). The economics and gender factor in soya bean production and profitability in Kenya: a case of smallholder farms in Western Kenya. International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 13(3); 211-240. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Nziguheba, G., Merckx, R., Palm, C., A. and Mutuo, P. (2002). Combining Tithonia diversifolia and fertilizers for maize production in a phosphorus deficient soil in Kenya. Agroforestry System, 55; 165-174. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Obongoya, B., O. (2002). Management of Fusarium oxyparum on common bean using some plant extracts. Msc proposal, Maseno University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Otusanya, O., O., Liiori, O., J. and Adelusi, A., A. (2007). Allelopathic effects of Tithonia diversifolia (H.). On A. Grayon germination and growth of Amaranthus cruentus. Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 1(6); 285-293. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Oyerinde, R., O., Otusanya, O., O. and Akpor, O., B. (2009). Allelopathic effects of Tithonia diversiforlia on the germination, growth and chlorophyll contents of Maize (Zea mays. L.). Scientific Research and Essay, 4(12); 1553-1558. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Sahidi, I., B. and Sagau, J., B. (1993). Allelopathic effects of Lantana and Siam weed (Chromeleana odorata) on selected crops. Weed Science, 41; 303-308. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Sangakkara, U., R., Stamp, P., Suldata, A. and Liedgens, M. (2002). Green manure stimulates root development of Maize and Mungbeans seedling. Journal of Agronomy, 19, 225-237. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Seema, P. (2011). A weed with multiple utility: Lantana camara. Revision Environmental Science Biotechnology, 10; 341 – 351. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Sharma, G., P., Raghubansha, A., S. and Sigh, J., S. (2005). Lantana invasion: An overview. Weed Biology Management, 5;157-165. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Singh, C., M., Angiras, N., M. and Singh, S., D. (1988). Allelopathic effects of weeds on seed germination. Indian Journal of Weed Science, 20(3); 63-66. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Tadele, D. (2014). Allelopathic effects of Lantana (Lantana camara L.) leaf extracts on germination and early growth of three agricultural crops in Ethiopia. Momona Ethiopian Journal of Science, 6(1); 111-119. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Taiwo, L., B. and Makinde, J, O. (2005). Influence of water extract from Mexican Sunflower, Tithonia diversifolia (H.) A. Grey on germination and growth of tested plants. Weed Research, 42(4); 373-378. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Todaro, M., P. and Smith, S., C. (2020). Economic development. Pearson UK. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. TOF. (2009). Use of Tithonia organic amendments for maize production. The Organic Farmer Magazine, 17; 29-37. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Vaidya, G., S., Shirestha, K. and Wallander, H. (2007). Function of organic matter (green manure) and their effect on soil properties. Bonko Janakari, 17(2); 62-69. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Wanjukia, J., W. (2021). Effects of Tithonia diversifolia extract and Trichoderma asperellum ON Botrytis cinerea growth yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa var duch). Msc Thesis, Egerton University, Kenya. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Zanardo, D., I., L., Lima, R., B., Ferrarese, M., D., L., L., Bubna, G., A. and Ferrarese-Filho, O. (2009). Soybean root growth inhibition and lignification induced by p-coumaric acid. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 66(1); 25-30. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Zhijie, Z.,1., Yanjie, L., Ling, Y. Ewald, W. and Mark, K. (2020). Effect of allelopathy on plant performance: a meta-analysis. Ecology Letters, 10; 1-16. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• The Impact of Ownership Structure on Dividend Payout Policy of Listed Plantation Companies in Sri Lanka
• Urban Sustainability in North-East India: A Study through the lens of NER-SDG index
• Performance Assessment of Predictive Forecasting Techniques for Enhancing Hospital Supply Chain Efficiency in Healthcare Logistics
• The Fractured Self in Julian Barnes' Postmodern Fiction: Identity Crisis and Deflation in Metroland and the Sense of an Ending
• Impact of Flood on the Employment, Labour Productivity and Migration of Agricultural Labour in North Bihar