Electrochemical Determination of L-Dopa in Mucuna pruriens Seeds, Leaves and Commercial Siddha Product Using Gold Modified Pencil Graphite Electrode

In the present work a gold modified pencil graphite electrode (GPGE) was used for the determination of L-dopa present in the aqueous extracts of Mucuna pruriens seeds (MPS), Mucuna pruriens leaves (MPL) and Commercial Siddha Product (CSP). The GPGE shows excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of both L-dopa and ascorbic acid (AA), with the separation of peak potential of 98 mV. The differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) results indicated that the detection limit for L-dopa was 1.54 mu M (S/N=3). This method can be successfully applied for the determination of L-dopa in real samples.

Therapeutic and pathogenetic animal models for Dolichos pruriens

The therapeutic and pathogenetic effects of Dolichos pruriens were evaluated using experimental models in rats. In the therapeutic experiment Wistar rats were housed in a heated environment (25 +/- 3 degrees C) to induce itch, and treated with ascending potencies D. pruriens (6 cH, 9 cH, 12 cH and 30 cH), each for 10 days. The positive control group received vehicle (ethanol 30% in water). The negative control group received no treatment and were kept at a standard temperature.In the pathogenetic experiment, all animals were kept at a temperature of 20+/-3 degrees C and treated for 30 consecutive days with D. pruriens 6 or 30 cH, or ethanol vehicle, or no treatment. The experiments were performed blind.The statistical analysis used Bartlett's test, followed by ANOVA/Tuckey-Krammer or Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn. The results point to the existence of therapeutic effects, with inhibition of the itching, skin lesions and fur thinning produced by heat, more evident in later observations, with the 9 12, and 30 cH potencies (Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn; P = 0.001). No changes were observed in the other parameters, such as open field activity and laterality of the itching. In the pathogenetic experiment, no changes were observed in any parameters examined. We conclude that the proposed experimental model demonstrates the therapeutic effect of D. pruriens, but not its pathogenetic effects.

Estudio de siete leguminosas de cobertura en asocio con el cultivo de pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus, Britton y Rose), como manejo de las malezas y aporte de nutrientes

Durante la época de primera de 1995, se estableció un experimento de campo en la finca Buenos Aires, localizada en el municipio de la Concepción, departamento de Masaya, con el propósito de evaluar la influencia de siete leguminosas de cobertura en asocio en el cultivo de la pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus. Britton & Rose), como manejo de las malas hierbas y aporte de nutrientes al suelo a partir de la materia orgánica incorporada. El diseño experimental utilizado en el estudio fue un Bloque Completos al azar, con cuatro repeticiones.Los tratamientos en estudio fueron: Vigna radiata, Mucuna pruriens, Phaseolus vulgaris, Dolichos lablab, Canavalia ensiformis, Cajanus cajan (semilla gris y roja), y el tratamiento testigo, el cual representa el manejo tradicional en el control de las malezas de parte del productor. Los resultados indican que las especies de malezas más dominantes fueron plantas de la familia poaceae sobresaliendo Cenchrus brownü, Digitaria ciliaris y Eleusine indica. Melampodium divaricatum de la familia Asteraceae. Mollugo verticillata de la familia Aizoaceae. Chamaesyce hirta de la familia Euphorbiaceae. Tetramerium nervosum y Elytraria imbricata de la familia Acanthaceae. Las especies descritas anteriormente fueron las más abundantes y estuvieron presentes en la diversidad. Tanto en la abundancia de malezas como en cobertura de las leguminosas los mejores resultados se presentaron en los tratamientos Dolichos lablab y Mucuna pruriens, seguido de Cajanus cajan (Gandul semilla roja y semilla gris), y Canavalia ensiformis. Por último los tratamientos Vigna radiata, Phaseolus vulgaris y el testigo, registraron la mayor abundancia de malezas. Tanto en la diversidad como en biomasa los mejores resultados se obtuvieron en Dolichos lablab y Mucuna pruriens, seguidos de Canavalia ensiformis y Cajanus cajan (Gandul semilla gris), por último se encuentran Cajanus cajan (Gandul semilla rojo), Vigna radiata, Phaseolus vulgaris y el testigo. En cuanto al aporte de nutrientes a partir de las materia orgánica los mejores resultados se presentaron en los tratamientos Vigna radiata, Dolichos lablab, Mucuna pruriens Cajanus cajan (Gandul semilla rojo y semilla gris), seguido de Canavalia ensiformis y Phaseolus vulgaris. Por último el que menor cantidad de nutrientes aportó fue el tratamiento testigo. En relación a la biomasa de las leguminosas, los mejores resultados se obtuvieron en los tratamientos Canavalia ensiformis y Cajanus cajan (Gandul semilla gris), registrando el mayor peso seco, seguido de Mucuna pruriens, Cajanus cajan (Gandul semilla roja), y Dolichos lablab. En tanto los tratamientos Phaseolus vulgaris y Vigna radiata, registraron el menor peso seco entre las leguminosas. En cuanto al mayor número y longitud de brotes (vainas) por planta, los mejores resultados se presentaron en los tratamientos Vigna radiata, Canavalia ensiformis y Dolichos lablab, seguido de Mucuna pruriens, Phaseolus vulgaris y Cajanus cajan (Gandul semilla gris y roja). En tanto el tratamiento testigo registró el menor número y longitud de brotes (vainas) por planta. Con respecto al rendimiento (Frutos 1 ha), los mejores resultados se obtuvieron en el tratamiento Dolichos lablab, seguidos de Cajanus cajan (Gandul semilla roja), Mucuna pruriens y Vigna radiata, presentaron rendimientos similares, seguidos de Cajanus cajan (Gandul semilla gris), Canavalia ensiformis y Phaseolus vulgaris, en tanto el testigo presentó el más bajo rendimiento. En cuanto al análisis económico de los tratamientos en estudio, el de mejor rentabilidad resultó ser Dolichos lablab, dado que ofrece el más alto beneficio neto, pese a ser uno de los tratamientos en que los costos fueron los más altos, además en éste tratamiento se obtuvo el mejor rendimiento de frutos.

Efecto de diferentes frijoles abonos sobre la dinámica de macronutrientes (N,P,K) del suelo, el aporte de materia orgánica, la incidencia de las diferentes pestes agrícolas y sobre el crecimiento y rendimiento de la pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus Britton y Rose)

Durante la época de postrera en 1997 se estableció un experimento de campo en la finca Frutas Tropicales y Cia Ltda, ubicada en el km 38 carretera MasayaTipitapa, Nicaragua para evaluar el efecto de diferentes frijoles abonos sobre la dinámica de macronutrientes del suelo, aporte de materia orgánica y la incidencia de las diferentes pestes agrícolas sobre el crecimiento y rendimiento de la pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus, Britton & Rose). El diseño experimental utilizado fue un bloque completo al azar con tres repeticiones. Los tratamientos evaluados fueron: Mucuna pruriens (L), Cajanus cajan (L), Canavalia ensiformis (L), Vigna unguiculata (L), Dolichos lablab (L) y el tratamiento sin frijol. Los fríjoles abonos ejercen un efecto positivo en el aporte de nutriente y reciclaje de los mismos mejoran la fertilidad del suelo. También aportan gran cantidad de materia orgánica a partir de los restos vegetales produciendo mayor biomasa C. ensiformis, C. cajan y M pruriens. Las malas hierbas fueron controladas eficazmente por los frijoles abonos, principalmente las monocotiledóneas; no así en el tratamiento sin frijol. Las malas hierbas que más predominaron fueron: Acalypha alopecuroides (L), Hybanthus attenuatus (H&B), Chamaesyce hirta (L), Rícharcdia scabra (L), Hyparrhenia rufa (Nees), Digitaria sanguinalis (L), Panicum decumbens (L), Panicum reptans (L) y Cynodon nlejluensis (Vanderyst). Las poblaciones de insectos plagas fueron menores en los tratamientos que predominaba el clon más resistente al ataque de insectos plagas. Los insectos plagas de suelo fueron controlados por los frijoles abonos, al igual que los nematodos. La incidencia de las enfermedades Colletotrichum goesporiodes Penz (Antracnosis) y Dotiorella sp (Ojo de Pescado) fue menor en los tratamientos donde predominaba el clon Cebra. La Erwinia carotovora Iones (Bacteriosis) presentó menor incidencia bajo el efecto de D. lablab y C. ensiformis. El efecto positivo del asocio de estos fríjoles abonos con la pitahaya mejora su crecimiento produciendo más brotes bajo la presencia de C. cajan, se obtuvieron incremento en los rendimientos tanto en el número de fiutos por hectárea como en el rendimiento en kg/ha bajo el efecto de C. cajan, M pruriens y D. lablab

Estudio de cinco leguminosas en la fertilización y métodos de manejo de malezas en el cultivo de la Pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus Britt y Rose)

En el mes de junio de 1996, se estableció un experimento de campo en la empresa Frutas Tropicales Ltda, localizada en la comarca de Guanacastillo, departamento de Masaya, con el propósito de evaluar la influencia de cinco leguminosas de cobertura asociadas con el cultivo de la pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus Britt & Rose), como manejo de las malas hierbas y aporte de nutrientes a partir de la materia orgánica incorporada. Al estudio se le aplicó el diseño de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones.Los tratamientos evaluados fueron: Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC., Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC., Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet y el tratamiento Testigo, el cual representa el manejo tradicional en el control de las malezas de parte del productor. Los resultados indican que el mayor peso seco acumulado lo presentó C. ensiformis al registrar 7 401 kg/ha. En tanto, V. radiata con 2 331.66 kg/ha presentó el menor valor de peso seco. En el comportamiento del peso seco de las malezas se registró mas alto en M. pruriens con 1 600 kg/ha. En tanto, L. purpureus con 545 kg/ha fue el más bajo.Para medir el aporte de nutrientes a partir de la materia orgánica se hizo un análisis de suelo previo a la siembra de las leguminosas. Un segundo y tercer análisis de suelo se efectuaron 3 meses y 11 meses después de realizado el primer análisis. En nitrógeno el mejor resultado se obtuvo en V. unguiculata al ubicarse como mejor aportador en el primer análisis con 149.60 kg/ha y segundo mejor aportador en el segundo análisis con 113.28 kg/ha.Superado levemente en este caso por el tratamiento testigo con 113.40 kg/ha. En ambos análisis el menor aportador de nitrógeno fue C. ensiformis con 122.40 kg/ha y 103.32 kg/ha para el primer y segundo análisis respectivamente.En cuanto a fósforo, V. radiata se ubicó como mejor aportador en el primer análisis con 16.80 kg/ha, mientras que en el segundo análisis se ubicó como tercero con 26.49 kg/ha, superado por C. ensiformis y V. unguiculata con 40.66 kg/ha y 31.32 kg/ha respectivamente. En cambio M. pruriens se ubicó como el aportador más bajo de fósforo con 6.60 kg/ha en el primer análisis y 3.98 kg/ha en el segundo.En relación al potasio, el mejor resultado se obtuvo en M. pruriens con 567.73 kg/ha y 694.42 hg/ha en el primer y segundo muestreo respectivamente. Mientras que L. purpureus fue el menor aportador con 384.74 kg/ha y 273.70 kg/ha en el primer y segundo muestreo respectivamente.Con respecto a la influencia sobre la dinámica de las malezas el mejor resultado se presentó en M. pruriens, al eliminar por completo la presencia de malezas a los 95 días de establecido el ensayo. Similar comportamiento tuvo C. ensiformis con la diferencia que fue en un período más prolongado. Mayor abundancia de malezas presentaron los tratamiento L. purpureus, V. radiata y V. unguiculata, en los cuales hubo necesidad de acompañarlos con controles mecánicos. Por último, se ubicó el tratamiento Testigo el cual siempre necesito de control mecánico. En relación al mayor número de brotes por planta, los tratamientos implementados no tuvieron diferencias significativas entre ellos, pero en términos numéricos los que presentaron mayor número de brotes fueron V. radiata y Testigo con 4,856 y 4,417 respectivamente, seguidos de V. unguiculata y C. ensiformis con 3,933 y 3,922 respectivamente. Por último se ubicaron M. pruriens y L. purpureus con 3,267 y 3,034 respetivamente.De acuerdo a los resultados obtenidos en cobertura de suelo, diversidad y abundancia de malezas, biomasa y aporte de nutrientes a partir de residuos vegetales, excepto en fósforo, se recomienda el uso de la leguminosa Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. En asocio con el cultivo de la pitahaya.

Program, abstracts and related documents.

The context: Soil biodiversity and sustainable agriculture; Abstracts - Theme 1: Monitoring and assessment: Bioindicators of soil health: assessment and monitoring for sustainable agriculture; Practical tools to measure soil health and their use by farmers; Biological soil quality from biomass to biodiversity - importance and resilience to management stress and disturbance; Integrated management of plant-parasitic nematodes in maize-bean cropping systems; Microbial quantitative and qualitative changes in soils under different crops and tillage management systems in Brazil; Diversity in the rhizobia associated with Phaseolus vulgaris L: in Ecuador and comparisons with Mexican bean rhizobia; Sistemas integrados ganadería-agricultura en Cuba; Soil macrofauna as bioindicator of soil quality; Biological functioning of cerrado soils; Hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate as a soil quality indicator in different pasture systems; Soil management and soil macrofauna communities at Embrapa Soybean, Londrina, Brazil; Soil macrofauna in a 24 - year old no-tillage system in Paraná, Brazil; Invertebrate macrofauna of soils inpastures under different forms of management in the cerrado (Brazil); Soil tillage modifies the invertebrate soil macrofauna community; Soil macrofauna in various tillage and land use systems on an oxisols near Londrina, Paraná, Brazil; Interference of agricultural systems on soil macrofauna; Scarab beetle-grub holes in various tillage and crop management systems at Embrapa Soybean, Londrina, Brazil; Biological management of agroecosystems; Soil biota and nutrient dynamics through litterfall in agroforestry system in Rondônia, Amazônia, Brazil; Soil-C stocks and earthworm diversity of native and introduced pastures in Veracruz, Mexico; Theme 2 : Adaptive management: Some thoughts on the effects and implications of the transition from weedy multi-crop to wead-free mono-crop systems in Africa; Towards sustainable agriculture with no-tillage and crop rotation systems in South Brazil; Effect of termites on crusted soil rehabilitation in the Sahel; Management of macrofauna in traditional and conventional agroforestry systems from India with special reference to termites and earthworms; Adaptive management for redeveloping traditional agroecosystems; Conservation and sustainable use of soil biodiversity: learning with master nature!; Convergence of sciences: inclusive technology innovation processes for better integrated crop/vegetation, soil and biodiversity management; Potential for increasing soil biodiversity in agroecosystems; Biological nitrogen fixation and sustainability in the tropics; Theme 3: Research and innovation: Plant flavonoids and cluster roots as modifiers of soil biodiversity; The significance of biological diversity in agricultural soil for disease suppressiveness and nutrient retention; Linking above - and belowground biodiversity: a comparison of agricultural systems; Insect-pests in biologically managed oil and crops: the experience at ICRISAT; Sistemas agricolas micorrizados en Cuba; The effect of velvetbean (Mucuna pruriens) on the tropical earthworm Balanteodrilus pearsei: a management option for maize crops in the Mexican humid tropics; The potential of earthworms and organic matter quality in the rehabilitation of tropical soils; Research and innovation in biological management of soil ecosystems; Application of biodynamic methods in the Egyptian cotton sector; Theme 4: Capacity building and mainstreaming: Soil ecology and biodiversity: a quick scan of its importance for government policy in The Netherlands; Agrotechnological transfer of legume inoculants in Eastern and Southern Africa; Agricultura urbana en Cuba; Soil carbon sequestration for sustaining agricultural production and improving the environment; Conservation and sustainable management of below-ground biodiversity: the TSBF-BGBD network project; The tropical soil biology and fertility institute of CIAT (TSBF); South-South initiative for training and capacity building for the management of soil biology/biodiversity; Strategies to facilititate development and adoption of integrated resource management for sustainable production and productivity improvement; The challenge program on biological nitrogen fixation (CPBNF); Living soil training for farmers: improving knowledge and skills in soil nutrition management; Do we need an inter-governmental panel on land and soil (IPLS)? Protection and sustainable use of biodiversity of soils; Cases Studies -- Plant parasitic nematodes associated with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and integrated management approaches; Agrotechnological transfer of legume inoculants in Eastern and Southern Africa; Restoring soil fertility and enhancing productivity in Indian tea plantations with earthworms and organic fertilizers; Managing termites and organic resources to improve soil productivity in the Sahel; Overview and case studies on biological nitrogen fixation: perspectives and limitations; Soil biodiversity and sustainable agriculture: an overview.

Leguminous cover crops differentially affect maize yields in three contrasting soil types of Kakamega, Western Kenya

Maize production in smallholder farming systems in Kenya is largely limited by low soil fertility. As mineral fertilizer is expensive, green manuring using leguminous cover crops could be an alternative strategy for farmers to enhance farm productivity. However due to variability in soil type and crop management, the effects of green manure are likely to differ with farms. The objectives of this study were to evaluate Mucuna pruriens and Arachis pintoi on (i) biomass and nitrogen fixation (^15N natural abundance), (ii) soil carbon and nitrogen stocks and (iii) their effects on maize yields over two cropping seasons in Kakamega, Western Kenya. Mucuna at 6 weeks accumulated 1–1.3 Mg ha^{-1} of dry matter and 33–56 kg ha^{-1} nitrogen of which 70% was nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa). Arachis after 12 months accumulated 2–2.7 Mg ha^{-1} of dry matter and 51–74 kg N ha^{-1} of which 52-63 % was from Ndfa. Soil carbon and nitrogen stocks at 0–15 cm depth were enhanced by 2-4 Mg C ha^{-1} and 0.3–1.0 Mg N ha^{-1} under Mucuna and Arachis fallow, irrespective of soil type. Maize yield increased by 0.5-2 Mg ha^{-1} in Mucuna and 0.5–3 Mg ha^{-1} in Arachis and the response was stronger on Nitisol than on Acrisol or Ferralsol. We concluded that leguminous cover crops seem promising in enhancing soil fertility and maize yields in Kenya, provided soil conditions and rainfall are suitable.

Isolation of a lectin and a galactoxyloglucan from Mucuna sloanei seeds

A lectin and a galactoxyloglucan were characterized from Mucuna sloanei seed cotyledons. The galactoxyloglucan, isolated by water extraction and ethanol precipitation, had Glc:Xyl:Gal proportions in a molar ratio of 1.8:1.7:1.0 and a molar mass (M(w)) of 1.6 x 10(6) g mol(-1). The lectin (sloanin), isolated from the same seed by affinity chromatography on cross-linked Adenanthera pavonina galactomannan, gave two protein bands by SDS-PAGE (36 and 34 kDa) and one peak by gel filtration (63.6 kDa). Its N-terminal sequence indicated similar to 69% identity with soybean agglutinin to leguminous lectins. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra established that sloanin predominantly contains beta-sheet structures. Sloanin has similar to 5.5% carbohydrate and displayed hemagglutinating activity against rabbit and enzyme treated human erythrocytes, inhibited only by D-Gal containing sugars. The interaction between sloanin and storage cell-wall galactoxyloglucan was tested by affinity chromatography and fluorescence spectroscopy. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tolerância de Espécies de Mucuna a Herbicidas Utilizados na Cultura da Cana-de-Açúcar

The emergence of Mucuna species in sugarcane plantations, even after herbicide spraying for weed management, allowed us to elaborate the hypothesis that these plants are tolerant to the herbicides commonly used in the culture. Thus, to prove this hypothesis, this work was carried out to study the tolerance of Mucuna aterrima, Mucuna cinerea and Mucuna deeringiana to application of herbicides with different mechanisms of action in pre- and postemergence. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with 9 treatments and five replications in a factorial 3 × 3, plus controls. At pre-emergence, the first factor was constituted by the herbicides sulfentrazone (800 g ha-1), imazapic (245 g ha-1), and amicarbazone (1,400 g ha-1), and the second factor by the Mucuna species, besides the additional control for each species studied. At post- emergence, the herbicides tested were clomazone (1,100 g ha-1), ametryn+trifloxysulfuronsodium (1,463 + 37 g ha-1), and 2,4-D (1,209 g ha-1). In the chemical management at pre-emergence, the species were sensitive to amicarbazone, followed by sulfentrazone, and tolerant to imazapic. At post-emergence, all species were sensitive to ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium and 2,4-D, but tolerant to clomazone.

Interação entre Sorgo Sacarino e plantas daninhas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Management of a previously eroded tropical Alfisol with herbaceous legumes: Soil loss and physical properties under mound tillage

A study was carried out on a previously eroded Oxic Paleustalf in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria to determine the extent of soil degradation under mound tillage with some herbaceous legumes and residue management methods. A series of factorial experiments was carried out on 12 existing runoff plots. The study commenced in 1996 after a 5-year natural fallow. Mound tillage was introduced in 1997 till 1999. The legumes - Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), Mucuna pruriens and Pueraria phaseoloides - were intercropped with maize in 1996 and 1998 while yam was planted alone in 1997 and 1999. This paper covers 1997-1999. At the end of each year, residues were either burned or mulched on respective plots. Soil loss, runoff, variations in mound height, bulk density, soil water retention and sorptivity were measured. Cumulative runoff was similar among interactions of legume and residue management in 1997 (57-151 mm) and 1999 (206-397 mm). However, in 1998, cumulative runoff of 95 mm observed for Mucuna-burned residue was significantly greater than the 46 mm observed for cowpea-burned residue and the 39-51 mm observed for mulched residues of cowpea, Mucuna and Pueraria. Cumulative soil loss of 7.6 Mg ha(-1) observed for Mucuna-burned residue in 1997 was significantly greater than those for Pueraria-mulched (0.9 Mg ha(-1)) and Mucuna-mulched (1.4 Mg ha(-1)) residues whereas in 1999 it was similar to soil loss from cowpea treatments and Pueraria-burned residue (2.3-5.3 Mg ha(-1)). There were no significant differences in soil loss in 1998 (1-3.2 Mg ha(-1)) whereas Mucuna-burned residue had a greater soil loss (28.6 Mg ha(-1)) than mulched cowpea (6.9 Mg ha(-1)) and Pueraria (5.4 Ms ha(-1)). Mound heights (23 cm average) decreased non-linearly with cumulative rainfall. A cumulative rainfall of 500 mm removed 0.3-2.3 cm of soil from mounds in 1997, 3.5-6.9 cm in 1998 and 2.3-4.6 cm in 1999, indicating that (detached but less transported) soil from mounds was far higher than observed soil loss in each year. Soil water retention was improved at potentials ranging from -1 to -1500 kPa by Mucuna-mulched residue compared to the various burned-residue treatments. Also, mound sorptivity at -1 cm water head (14.3 cm h(-1/2)) was higher than furrow sorptivity (8.5 cm h(-1/2)), indicating differences in hydraulic characteristics between mound and furrow. Pueraria-mulched residues for mounds had the highest sorptivity of 17.24 cm h(-1/2), whereas the least value of 6.96 cm h(-1/2) was observed in furrow of Mucuna-burned residue. Pueraria phas eoloides was considered the best option for soil conservation on the previously eroded soil, cultivated with mound tillage. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Simulating Forest Shade to Study the Developmental Ecology of Tropical Plants: Juvenile Growth in Three Vines in India

Both light quantity and quality affect the development and autoecology of plants under shade conditions, as in the understorey of tropical forests. However, little research has been directed towards the relative contributions of lowered photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) versus altered spectral distributions (as indicated by quantum ratios of 660 to 730 nm, or R:FR) of radiation underneath vegetation canopies. A method for constructing shade enclosures to study the contribution of these two variables is described. Three tropical leguminous vine species (Abrus precatorius L., Caesalpinia bondicela Fleming and Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.) were grown in two shade enclosures with 3-4% of solar PPFD with either the R:FR of sunlight (1.10) or foliage shade (0.33), and compared to plants grown in sunlight. Most species treated with low R:FR differed from those treated with high R:FR in (1) percent allocation to dry leaf weight, (2) internode length, (3) dry stem weight/length, (4) specific leaf weight, (5) leaf size, and (6) chlorophyll a/b ratios. However, these plants did not differ in chlorophyll content per leaf dry weight or area. In most cases the effects of low R:FR and PPFD were additional to those of high R:FR and low PPFD. Growth patterns varied among the three species, but both low PPFD and diminished R:FR were important cues in their developmental responses to light environments. This shadehouse system should be useful in studying the effects of light on the developmental ecology of other tropical forest plants.

Influence of mucuna fallow crop on selected soil properties, weed suppression and taro yields in Taveuni, Fiji

Two field experiments were carried out in Taveuni, Fiji to study the effects of mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) and grass fallow systems at 6 and 12 month durations on changes in soil properties (Experiment 1) and taro yields (Experiment 2). Biomass accumulation of mucuna fallow crop was significantly higher (P<0.05) than grass fallow crop at both 6 and 12 month durations. The longer fallow duration resulted in higher (P<0.05) total soil organic carbon, total soil nitrogen and earthworm numbers regardless of fallow type. Weed suppression in taro grown under mucuna was significantly greater (P<0.05) than under natural grass fallow. Taro grown under mucuna fallow significantly outyielded taro grown under grass fallow (11.8 vs. 8.8 t ha-1). Also, the gross margin of taro grown under mucuna fallow was 52% higher than that of taro grown under grass fallow. © ISHS.