Decomposition of Allelopathic Plants in Soil

Abstract Higher plants with strong allelopathic properties are commonly incorporated into soil for weed‐control purposes. To understand the phytotoxic variation in the soil, which can be utilized for weed control through the use of allelopathic plants, the decomposition of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L. cv. Rasen) and kava ( Piper methysticum L.) after soil amendment were evaluated. Both alfalfa and kava strongly inhibited barnyardgrass and monochoria growth for up to 10 days (80–100 % weed control). After 20–25 days, the magnitude of inhibition was drastically reduced, but was still effective (50 % weed control). A number of phenolic acids were detected in the soil even 50 days after incorporation in low concentration, but their concentrations reached a maximum after 10–15 days and were efficacious until 20–25 days. Phenolic acids varied between alfalfa and kava. The variations in electrical conductivity (EC) and osmotic pressure (OP) were strongly related to chemicals and toxic compounds exuded into the soil during decomposition and were proportional to the magnitude of inhibition observed, whereas pH did not appear to be correlated with inhibition. The decomposition of several unknown inhibitors present in kava was also analysed and assessed. Our findings indicate that these growth inhibitors were almost disintegrated in soil after 10 days, but strong inhibition was detected until 25 days after amendment. Results from this study demonstrate that chemicals released from allelopathic plants incorporated into soil are toxic and cause inhibition of certain species and could be exploited as a biological tool for weed management.