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Investigating the agronomic performance and ecological weed-suppression effects of summer leguminous green manure in
Shengjian Kuang1,2, Heng Liao1,2, Danjun Yao1,2
1Soil and Fertilizer Research Institute, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, China.
Background:
The large-scale cultivation of dragon fruit (Selenicereus undatus) in China faces challenges in sustainable weed management, particularly during the summer season. There is a notable lack of suitable green manure species for mountainous orchards that can effectively suppress weeds while enhancing ecological sustainability.
Methods:
From March to June 2019, a field trial was conducted in a mountainous dragon fruit orchard in Guizhou Province. A comprehensive evaluation of nine leguminous green manure species was performed using membership function analysis. Agronomic performance and weed-suppression effects were analyzed, with natural grass cover as a control, and correlations with green manure growth traits were examined.
Results:
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), rice bean (Vigna umbellata), and bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris dwarf cv.) achieved the highest comprehensive scores (0.71, 0.70, and 0.62, respectively). Intercropping with leguminous green manures significantly reduced weed species richness and diversity. Five species demonstrated weed control efficacy exceeding 90%: bush bean (95.98%), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata, 95.59%), adzuki bean (Vigna angularis, 92.32%), rice bean (91.16%), and common bean (90.11%). Correlation analysis indicated that rapid emergence, vigorous early growth, and high fresh biomass were significantly associated with enhanced weed suppression.
Conclusion:
Common bean, rice bean, and bush bean are recommended as optimal summer green manure species for weed management in mountainous dragon fruit orchards. Rapid emergence and high biomass accumulation are key traits for effective weed suppression. Their prioritized application is advised, with subsequent long-term, multilocation trials recommended to assess their comprehensive ecological and economic benefits.
