Evaluation of emergence and seedling growth of mimosa diplotricha under the influence of rice husk and palm kernel shell mulch and its interaction with garden egg plant

The proliferation of the invasive Mimosa diplotricha weed species on agricultural lands within humid tropical agroecosystems necessitates the implementation of sustainable management measures. The present study investigated the impact of varying quantities of rice husk(RH) and palm kernel shell(PKS) mulch (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 tonnes per hectare) as well as an unmulched control on the emergence and growth of Mimosa diplotricha weed in a garden egg farm. The quantification of the impact of two different mulches on the performance and yield of garden egg was also conducted. A randomized block design was implemented, consisting of three replicates conducted over the course of two growing seasons. This study presents the initial evidence of the efficacy of palm kernel shell mulch in mitigating the growth of M. diplotricha The percentage emergence of the weed under PKS treatment was much lower (20.0%) when compared to the unmulched control group (87%) in the year 2018. In the year 2019, the control group exhibited a percentage emergence of 90%, while the PKS group demonstrated a percentage emergence of 23%. The study observed the shoot and root growth, as well as biomass accumulation, were reduced, in both experimental years for the weed. Conversely, the utilization of palm kernel shell mulch resulted in a significant enhancement in garden egg biomass, leaf area, and fruit yield. The efficacy of the mulch on the performance of M.diplotricha and garden egg remained consistent over both research years, indicating no significant effect. However, the application of different mulch volumes had a discernible impact on their growth. The findings ofthis study will serve as a guiding framework for future research endeavors focused on investigating the impacts of bioherbicides on the control of tropical weeds.