Ojija, Fredrick ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1117-5119, Arnold, Sarah E. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7345-0529 and Treydte, Anna C. (2019) Bio-herbicide potential of naturalised Desmodium uncinatum crude leaf extract against the invasive plant species Parthenium hysterophorus. Biological Invasions, 21 (12). pp. 3641-3653. ISSN 1387-3547 (Print), 1573-1464 (Online) (doi:10.1007/s10530-019-02075-w)

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Abstract

The exotic plant Parthenium hysterophorus is rapidly invading ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa, with negative effects on the environment, economy and human and animal health. With the exception of some synthetic herbicides, none of the available management methods have been effective against P. hysterophorus, and carry risks to the environment. Therefore, additional management methods must be explored for an effective integrated approach. Despite the fact that bio-herbicides are considered cost-effective and eco-friendly in mitigating biological invasions, little work has been done to utilize them for controlling P. hysterophorus. We investigated allelopathic effects and, thus, bio-herbicide potential of naturalised Desmodium uncinatum leaf (DuL) crude extract in various concentrations to control P. hysterophorus. Our results revealed that DuL crude extract can suppress P. hysterophorus, particularly at higher concentrations. The 75% and 100% DuL crude extract concentrations reduced the total leaf chlorophyll content by 26% and 22% in pots and plots, respectively. Further, these higher concentrations inhibited P. hysterophorus seed germination by 73% in petri dishes, 60% in pots, and 57% in plots, and negatively interfered with seedling growth vigour. Seedling stem heights under 75% and 100% DuL concentrations in pot and plot experiments was about 30% and 36% shorter than those sprayed with lower concentrations (< 70%) and the control, respectively. We show that naturalised plants with allelochemicals can be used as a management tool for controlling P. hysterophorus infestations in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Tanzania, and this method should become part of an integrated control toolkit being deployed in a community-based approach.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	invasive species, parthenium weed, bioherbicides, biological control, bioassay
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QH Natural history
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Agriculture, Health & Environment Department
Last Modified:	16 Aug 2020 01:38
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/25003

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