ISSN 2167-0447
International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (8), pp. 232-240, August, 2014. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effect of weed control on production and quality in a plantation of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench in Galicia (NW Spain)
R. Romero, R.M. Barros Camba, A. Rigueiro and J.L. Fernández Lorenzo
University of Santiago de Compostela. Escuela Politécnica Superior de Lugo. Crop Production Departament. Lugo.
Rosa Romero Franco. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Escuela Politécnica Superior de Lugo. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. Campus Universitario de Lugo. 27002 Lugo. Spain.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 29 May, 2014
Abstract
Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. is a perennial plant used for the treatment and prevention of the common cold and flu because of its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. At present, it is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in the world. This study evaluated several weeding methods during three years of E. purpurea cultivation: mulching with black polyethylene film, corn gluten meal treatment, white clover living mulch, flame weeding, and metribuzin application. The adventitious flora was periodically inventoried, recording the coverage (%) and density (individuals/m2). Furthermore, yields of biomass were determined and concentrations of alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives were analyzed. Plastic mulching and metribuzin controlled weeds efficiently, allowing profitable biomass production. The highest yield of aerial and underground parts was afforded by plots mulched with black polyethylene film (5800 kg DM/ha and 1032.5 kg DM/ha at year 3). The highest concentrations of alkamides were found in plants from plots treated with metribuzin. Caffeic acid derivatives concentration in plants from plots treated with metribuzin was similar to that from plots treated with plastic mulching.
Key words: Adventitious flora, alkamides, biomass, caffeic acid derivatives, flame weeding, live mulch, medicinal plant, metribuzin, polyethylene film.