Welcome to Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin,

Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2024, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (10): 103-108.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2023-0269

Special Issue: 园艺

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Effects of Alpinia zerumbet Stem and Leaf Residue Mulching on Weeds, Soil and Growth in Winter Lettuce Fields

HU Lianqing1,2(), LIU Wenwen1,2, CHEN Yuwei3, FENG Ruizhang1,2, ZHOU Wanhai1,2(), WEI Qin1,2, CHEN Lu1, ZHAO Xin1,2, ZHAO Shanmei1,2   

  1. 1 Experimental Teaching Center of Agriculture, Forestry and Food engineering, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan 644000
    2 Key Lab of Aromatic Plant Resources Exploitation and Utilization in Sichuan Colleges, Yibin, Sichuan 644000
    3 Jianyang Agricultural Technology Extension Center, Jianyang, Sichuan 641400
  • Received:2023-04-11 Revised:2024-01-10 Online:2024-04-05 Published:2024-04-01

Abstract:

The paper aims to select the most suitable amount of the mulch of the stem and leaf residue from Alpinia zerumbet for weed control and lettuce growth. The stems and leaves of A. zerumbet rich in allelopathic substances were selected as materials. In this research, the growth of weeds, lettuce, and changes in soil physicochemical properties were evaluated by covering different amounts of mulch of the stem and leaf residue from A. zerumbet between rows in lettuce fields according to the theory of covering cultivation and the principle of allelopathic grass control. The results showed that with the increase of the stem and leaf residue mulching amount from A. zerumbet, the inhibition on weeds in lettuce fields was enhanced. Among them, compared with the control group, the species, quantity, and diversity of weeds in the lettuce field decreased, and the weed biomass (fresh weight and dry weight) decreased by 87.93% and 90.54%, respectively after mulching with 1200 g/m2 of the stem and leaf residue from A. zerumbet. Meanwhile, lettuce had the highest chlorophyll content and average fresh weight per plant, with the best quality. In addition, the content of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available nitrogen, and available phosphorus increased. When the coverage was greater than 1600 g/m2, the soil physical and chemical properties showed different changing trends, and the growth of lettuce was inhibited, but the overall quality was improved. Overall, in the production of winter and spring lettuce in Yibin area of Sichuan Province, the use of 1200 g/m2 of the mulch of the stem and leaf residue from A. zerumbet can effectively inhibit the growth of weeds in the field, improve the soil environment, and promote the growth and development of lettuce.

Key words: Alpinia zerumbet, mulching cultivation, allelopathy, weed control, lettuce