Effect of Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. residues on growth and yield of mungbean (Vigna mungo L. Hepper)

Abstract

This study was to evaluate the effect of Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. residues on mungbean (Vigna mungo L.Hepper) local cultivar. An experiment [using randomized complete block design (RCBD) design] with three replications was conducted in 2010. The trial comprised of four treatments such as mulching, incorporation into soil and extract, along with control with mungbean crop without adding residues of D. viscose. Data showed a significant increase in chlorophyll - b (Chl.b) and total chlorophyll in leaves of mungbean in mulching treatment as compared to control. Plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf area index, number of seed per pod and 100 seed weight were slightly higher for D. viscosa residues than for the control treatment. All D. viscosa residues treatments had positive effects on number of pods per plant, plant seed yield and total seed yield as compared to control. However, mulching treatment was the superior. Neither protein nor oil content in mungbean seeds were significantly affected by D. viscosa residues, even though there was slight increase. Carbohydrates content in the seeds were not significantly different due to D. viscosa residues treatments, although some decrease was observed due to slight increase in protein and oil content. The leaf tissue N, P, K, Mg or Fe concentrations were not significantly affected by D. viscosa residues treatments. However, the chemical analysis of field soil properties after harvesting demonstrated the increase in inorganic elements as compared with soil before sowing. Mulching gave the best results, followed by incorporation into the soil, and then spraying of extract in comparison to control.Keywords: Mungbean, Dodonaea viscosa residues, growth, yield, quality, mineral elements content.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(24) 2407-241