Multi-herbicidal effects of Lanta camara extracts on Eleucine indica and Amaranthus hybridus: implications to weed control in organic gardens

Abstract

Lantana camara has been reported to cause allelopathy on a number of plants and therefore can be exploited in weed management without adversely affecting the environment. Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out to determine the allelopathic effects of L camara extracts and mulch on the germination and early growth of Amaranthus hybridus and Eleucine indica. Results indicated that both weeds were reduced in their germination by both the L camara extracts and biomass. The results indicate that L camara leaves can be incoporated into organic gardens and suppresses the growth of weeds. Therefore in mulch based systems, L camara can be used to ecologically manage the two weeds.