Mucuna deeringiana soil incorporated vs. non incorporated and yield in subsequent plantings of tomato, beans or corn

Abstract

The effect of velvet bean Mucuna deeringiana plowed under three months after planting, and non incorporated (cut for forage three months after planting), on the nematode population (Meloidogyne incognita, races 1 and 4 and Rotylenchulus reniformis) and on yield of tomato, dry beans or corn was studied for two years (1989-1990) in the same experiment at the Agricultural Experiment Station at Isabela. A two-year rotation program with Mucuna plowed into the soil, followed by tomato, was the most effective control for the root knot and reniform nematodes.This method increased tomato yield 176% over that of continuous tomato. The root gall index in tomato roots significantly decreased in all plots previously planted with Mucuna. Nonincorporated Mucuna did not affect tomato yield. Soil incorporated as well as non-incorporated Mucuna increased dry bean yields (212% and 141%, respectively) in 1989 as compared to yield in monoculture. Mucuna did not affect corn yield.