Investigating the Association of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (Vam) with Commelina Benghaensis Weed Species in Tea Lands
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Date
2015
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
A study was conducted to investigate an association between Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) and Commelina benghalensis, which is an aggressive weed infesting tea cultivations. A field experiment was carried out at a Wewessa estate, Badulla consisted of 4 treatments, i.e. tea alone (weed free), tea infested with C. benghalensis slashed at 3 and 6 weeks interval and no weeding for 3 months. Soil Phosphorus was analyzed and tea yield was measured. VAM spore count and root colonization percentage were calculated three months after imposition of treatments. Slashed dry weights of C. benghalensis were measured. There were significant differences in root colonization percentage and spore counts between treatments. A higher level of P was recorded with Commelina when slashed at 3 weeks interval compared to weed free and no weeding treatments for 3 months. There is no any significant difference in tea yield between treatments. The study concluded that there is close association between VAM and C. benghalensis thereby availability of soil Phosphorus. This association has favorably affected on tea growth.
Keywords: Commelina benghalensis, Root colonization, Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM), VAM spores
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Tea Technology and Value Addition Degree Programme ( TEA)