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Growth performance and ferulic acid composition of Amaranthus species and Mitracarpus villosus in competition with weeds species

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Abstract

Leafy vegetables are important for food security and human health and nutrition. However, their growth, development and yield are often affected by weeds. Therefore, we investigated the growth performance and ferulic acid composition of Amaranthus species and Mitracarpus villosus in competition with local weed species by measuring growth and productivity rate, morphological anomalies, chlorophyll content, acid exudation by roots, and ferulic acid content, Results suggest that weed competition had negative effects on Amaranthus and Mitracarpus with an inverse relationship in most of the parameters assessed. Amaranthus hybridus in the weeded plot had a plant height of 13.30 cm after 6 weeks whereas it was 11.50 cm in the unweeded plot. After 6 weeks, the leaf area index of Mitracarpus villosus was 5.40 cm2 and 4.80 cm2 in the weeded and unweeded plots, compared to Amaranthus viridis in both the weeded and unweeded plots, which were 12.90 cm2 and 6.20 cm2 respectively. Ferulic acid content in M. villosus was 33.9 µg/ml in the unweeded plot and 64.27 µg/ml in the weeded plot. Weed competition had greater effects on growth parameters than ferulic acid. Overall, weed competition has species-specific effects on the two vegetable species and also depends on the density, diversity and richness of weed species.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to appreciate the Botanic Garden manager and Curator of the Herbarium Unit of Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin for their support. Authors are also grateful to the Head of Chemistry Department, University of Benin, Nigeria. Authors also thank NIHORT for providing with the accessions used for the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Ugbowo, Benin City, Nigeria

    Beckley Ikhajiagbe & Matthew Chidozie Ogwu

  2. School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, Center for Floristic Research of the Apennine, Gran Sasso and Monti Della Laga National Park, University of Camerino, San Colombo, 67021, Barisciano, L’Aquila, Italy

    Matthew Chidozie Ogwu

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  1. Beckley Ikhajiagbe
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BI conceived the research question and initiated the study. BI and MO performed the literature review, analyzed and interpreted the data, prepared the manuscript text, and manuscript revision. MO compiled the data and finalized the manuscript preparation.

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Correspondence to Matthew Chidozie Ogwu.

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Ikhajiagbe, B., Ogwu, M.C. Growth performance and ferulic acid composition of Amaranthus species and Mitracarpus villosus in competition with weeds species. Environmental Sustainability 4, 691–703 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42398-021-00163-z

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