PJB-2019-838
USING CRUDE EXTRACT OF DOVYALIS CAFFRA, CASSIA AURICULATA AND SYNTHETIC 2-4-D FOR SUPPRESSING PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT IN ARUSHA, TANZANIA
Warda Kanagwa
Abstract
Invasive species can extensively damage natural resources and disturb native species communities. Parthenium hysterophorus is a procumbent invasive weed, suppressing pasture productivity, agriculture and biodiversity. Various methods (biological, mechanical and chemical) have been used in controlling this species but have not been sufficiently effective in the long term. However, chemical method has severe impacts on the environment, thus there is a need of exploring additional management options for an effective integrated approach. We tested a novel approach using naturalized extracts of Dovyalis caffra and Cassia auriculata, two readily available and often cultivated plants in Tanzania, and compared their effectiveness in suppressing P. hysterophorus with the chemical 2,4-D Dimethylamine (2,4-D) at the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Tanzania, from January to May 2019. We compared P. hysterophorus parameters (dry and fresh biomass, root and shoot lengths and chlorophyll content) across different concentrations of D. caffra and C. auriculata crude extracts and 2,4-D in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. There was a significant reduction (50%) in the measured parameters after application of low concentration of C. auriculata leaves and barks (CaL and CaB) and D. caffra leaves and fruits (DcL and DcF) and was further reduced as concentrations increased (P < 0.0001). High concentrations of CaL (90%) reduced all parameters three times compared to those of lower concentrations (30%). Furthermore, all parameters, particularly biomass and chlorophyll content of P. hysterophorus significantly declined by 97% after being treated with high concentrations of DcF (1.5 g l-1) and 2,4-D (10 ml l-1). We suggest that the use of environmentally friendly bio-herbicides can foster P. hysterophorus control and emphasize that this method should be integrated with current control measures in the infestation areas for long-term suppression of the invasive.
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