Bio-control of Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) and Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. with Multipurpose Bushy Legumes in ‘Ataulfo’ Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Due to their evolution and proliferation, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. and Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) in mango orchards in southern Mexico are now considered weeds of quarantine importance by Mexican plant health authorities. With this problem in mind, the present research was carried out from July 2011 to April 2012 in a five-year old ‘Ataúlfo’ mango orchard having a planting density of 32 trees ha-1 located in Soconusco, Chiapas, Mexico. Legume species (Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria longirostrata and Cajanus cajan) were planted in a 2 m wide area along the outer limits of the mango tree raindrop area. During the experiment, weed behaviour (diversity, abundance and dominance) was analyzed as influenced by the association of legumes in the mango orchard. Results show that the association of legumes in mango plantations increases “acceptable weed” diversity and reduces biomass of S. halepense in 90.9% and 87% in R. cochinchinensis. The rapid growth and biomass production characteristics of the legumes positively changes the weed kenosis structure in favour of enhanced homogeneity and equity, and in so doing, reduces grass dominance. These results prove that the association of multipurpose bushy legumes in mango plantations works as biological of Sorghum halepense, Rottboellia cochinchinensis y Cynodon plectostachyus.