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Tropentag, October 7 - 9, 2008 in Hohenheim

"Competition for Resources in a Changing World:
New Drive for Rural Development"


The Influence of Agricultural Practices on Occurence of Weed Species and Soil Properties in the Peruvian Amazon

Daniel Preininger, Bohdan Lojka, Zbynek Polesny, Jan Banout, Blanka Krivankova, Jana Lojkova

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry in Tropics and Subtropics, Czech


Abstract


Inga edulis Mart. is popular with agroforesters for its rapid growth, tolerance of acid soils and high production of leafy biomass to control weeds and erosion. The objective of this research was to determine if is possible to reduce growth of weed species (e.g. Imperata brasiliensis) through the cultivation of Inga edulis. The impact of agricultural practices on weed occurrence was also analyzed. The treatment was established on experimental plot 19 km from Pucallpa in the year 2006. Four fallow systems were evaluated during the study: (1) natural fallow; (2) planted fallow with cassava; (3) planted fallow with inga (Inga edulis); (4) inga + cudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides), replicated four times in a completely randomised block design in 12 m × 12 m subplots. On each subplot were collected three biomass samples (1m2) of weed species. Most spread species were determinated and number of individuals were counted. First results shows, that utilisation of inga could be promissing for reducing of Imperata, but on the other hand occurrence of other weed species (e.g. Baccharis sp.) are increasing. Soil samples were also collected. The first collection was done in the beginning of the trial and than after each harvest of cassava (approx. after 9 months). First mixed samples were collected from each quarter of the plot. Next collection was collected from each subplot. This data are used for estimation of impact of agricultural practices on soil properties and content of basic elements. For detailed results will be necessary continue with this study at least more two years. These results will be evaluated and than will be usable for next agroforestry utilisation of Inga edulis in this region.


Keywords: Imperata brasiliensis, Inga edulis, Peruvian Amazon, weed control


Contact Address: Daniel Preininger, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry in Tropics and Subtropics, Koprivnická 615, 199 00 Prague 9, Czech, e-mail: dpreinin@centrum.cz


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