Sugarcane Field Residue and Bagasse Allelopathic Impact on Vegetable Seed Germination

Abstract

The chemical interaction between plants, which is referred to as allelopathy, may result in the inhibition of plant growth and development. The objective of this research was to determine the allelopathic impact of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) var. 'HoCP 96-540' field residue and sugarcane bagasse extracts on the germination of three vegetable crops. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. alboglabra Bailey), and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seeds were treated with 4 extract concentrations (0, 16.7, 33.3, and 66.7 g/L) from either sugarcane field residue or sugarcane bagasse extracts. Germination of the tomato, Chinese kale, and cucumber seeds decreased as concentration of sugarcane field residue extracts increased. At the highest residue concentration (66.7 g/L), germination decreased by 44%, 82%, and 88% for tomato, Chinese kale, and cucumber, respectively. These results would indicate that sugarcane field residue would not be a suitable natural mulch or soil amendment for local vegetable production, especially where the vegetables were direct-seeded. If evaluated correctly, the sugarcane field residue may be an effective natural mulch for perennial ornamental plants in landscape applications, serving as a physical and chemical barrier to germinating and emerging weed species. Sugarcane bagasse extracts did not inhibit Chinese kale and cucumber germination, and only inhibited tomato germination by 13% at the greatest concentration (66.7 g/L) in 1 experiment. As the first documented bioassay implicating bagasse as allelopathic active, further research should investigate the subject using higher concentrations, and additional sugarcane and tomato varieties. Except for the one instance with tomato germination, it appears that sugarcane bagasse has potential as a natural mulch for vegetable production, although the mulch would only be a physical barrier to weed establishment and not a allelopathic chemical barrier. Future research should determine the allelopathic active compounds in sugarcane field residue and if the concentration of allelopathic chemicals vary by sugarcane variety.

Sugarcane Crop Residue and Bagasse Allelopathic Impact on Oat (Avena sative L.), Tall Morningglory (Ipomoea purpurea L. Roth), and Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) Germination

“…Sugarcane crop residue leachates reduced germination and radical growth of the field crops oat (Avena nuda L.), (Viator et al, 2006), rye (Secale cereale L.) (Viator et al, 2006), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) (Sampietro & Vattuone, 2006b), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (Sampietro & Vattuone, 2006b); the vegetable crops tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) (Webber et al, 2017b), Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. alboglabra Bailey) (Webber et al, 2017b), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) (Webber et al, 2017b), and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) (Sampietro & Vattuone, 2006b); and the weeds arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia L.) (Sampietro et al, 2007), pigweed (Amaranthus quitensis L.) (Sampietro & Vattuone, 2006b), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) (Webber et al, 2017c), spiny pigweed (Amaranthus spinosus L.) (Webber et al, 2017c), wild mustard (Brassica campestris L.) (Sampietro & Vattuone, 2006b), tall morningglory (Ipomoea purpurea L. Roth) (Viator et al, 2006), and red morningglory (Ipomoea coccinea L.) (Webber et al, 2017c).…”

“…Allelopathy is the term used to describe this biochemical interaction between plants, whether inhibiting or stimulating plant growth and development (Molisch, 1937;Rice, 1984). There is a growing interest by the general public for naturally produced crops and, therefore, a positive incentive to explore the use of natural plant chemicals to either promote crop growth and production, or inhibit weed growth and development (Bowmick & Doll, 1982;Rice, 1984;Russo et al, 1997aRusso et al, , 1997bWebber et al, 2015aWebber et al, , 2015bWebber et al, , 2017aWebber et al, , 2017bWebber et al, , 2017c. Information gleaned from allelopathic compounds has been used to produce natural herbicides and develop synthesized herbicides which are closely related the allelopathic compounds (Duke & Dayan, 2013;Cheema & Khaliq, 2000;Gerwick & Sparks, 2014).…”

“…In addition to the sugarcane leaves and roots, Rodrigues et al (2001) documented that the breakdown of sugarcane bagasse lignocellulosic material produced toxic compounds that inhibit cellular growth. Others have indicated that the leaching or the microbial breakdown of the bagasse may have an allelopathic (toxic) impact on squash plants (Facelli & Pickett, 1991;Rice, 1984;Rodrigues et al, 2001;Webber et al, 2017a) and tomato (Webber et al, 2017b). Research was initiated to determine the allelopathic impact of sugarcane crop residue and sugarcane bagasse leachates on the germination of three plant species (oat, morningglory, and redroot pigweed).…”

“…alboglabra Bailey) (Webber et al, 2017b), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) (Webber et al, 2017b), and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) (Sampietro & Vattuone, 2006b); and the weeds arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia L.) (Sampietro et al, 2007), pigweed (Amaranthus quitensis L.) (Sampietro & Vattuone, 2006b), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) (Webber et al, 2017c), spiny pigweed (Amaranthus spinosus L.) (Webber et al, 2017c), wild mustard (Brassica campestris L.) (Sampietro & Vattuone, 2006b), tall morningglory (Ipomoea purpurea L. Roth) (Viator et al, 2006), and red morningglory (Ipomoea coccinea L.) (Webber et al, 2017c). Webber et al (2017c) was the first to document that sugarcane root leachate were allelopathic.…”

“…The extracts were vacuum filtered using a three step process; 1) filtered through a Buchner funnel sans filter paper, 2) Buchner funnel with a VWR Qualitative, 417 filter (9.0 cm diameter), and 3) Buchner funnel with a Whatman ® #2 filter (9.0 cm diameter). The samples were then diluted as needed with deionized water to produce concentrations of 100 g/L (full strength), 50 g/L (half strength), 25.0 g/L (quarter strength) and 12.5 g/L (eighth strength) extracts of sugarcane roots and sugarcane crop residue (Webber et al, 2005a(Webber et al, , 2005b(Webber et al, , 2017b. The pH for all dilutions was adjusted to 7.0 using 1M KOH and 5% C 2 H 4 O 2 (acetic acid).…”