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Effect of vermicast generated from an allelopathic weed lantana (Lantana camara) on seed germination, plant growth, and yield of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)

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Abstract

In perhaps the first-ever study of its kind, the effect of vermicompost, derived solely from an allelopathic weed, on the germination, growth, and yield of a botanical species, has been carried out. In test plots, the soil was treated with the vermicompost of lantana (Lantana camara) at the rates of 5, 7.5, and 10 t ha−1, and cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) was grown on it. The performance of these systems was compared with the systems in which the soil was fortified with inorganic fertilizers (IFs) in concentrations equivalent to those present in the respective vermicompost (VC) treatments. Additionally, a set of control was studied in which the soil was used without fortification by either VC or IF. It was seen that up to 51.5 % greater germination success occurred in the VC treatments compared to controls. VC also supported better plant growth in terms of stem diameter, shoot length, shoot mass, number of leaves, and leaf pigments. The positive impact extended up to fruit yield. In addition, vermicast application enhanced root nodule formation, reduced disease incidence, and allowed for a smaller number of stunted plants. The results indicate that allelopathic ingredients of lantana seem to have been totally eliminated during the course of its vermicomposting and that lantana vermicompost has the potential to support germination, growth, and fruit yield better than equivalent quantities of IFs.

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Acknowledgments

MK and NH are thankful to the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi for research fellowships under the RGNF and MANF schemes. SG and SAA thank the UGC for a major research project which facilitated this study.

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  1. Center for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering, Pondicherry University, Chinnakalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India

    M. Karthikeyan, N. Hussain, S. Gajalakshmi & S.A. Abbasi

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  1. M. Karthikeyan
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  2. N. Hussain
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  3. S. Gajalakshmi
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  4. S.A. Abbasi
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Correspondence to S. Gajalakshmi.

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Karthikeyan, M., Hussain, N., Gajalakshmi, S. et al. Effect of vermicast generated from an allelopathic weed lantana (Lantana camara) on seed germination, plant growth, and yield of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 12539–12548 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3103-5

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