The use of eucalyptus leaves for weed control in maize-based cropping
systems is proposed. Aqueous extracts of eucalyptus are known to exert
phytotoxicity on many weeds and crops, but there is also experimental
evidence of the relative tolerance of maize. Based on in vitro dose-response
bioassays of leaf aqueous extracts, we conducted greenhouse pot experiments
testing incorporated eucalyptus leaves as green manure. The phytotoxic
effects were tested on the germination, establishment and growth of maize
and some representative accompanying weeds, in comparison to the PRE
herbicide metolachlor. Eucalyptus fresh leaves incorporated into the soil as
green manure at 1 and 2% w/w reduced the emergence of the dicot weed species
redroot pigweed and black nightshade. After one month of incorporation, both
doses reduced aerial biomass >94% two monocot weed species (barnyardgrass
+ large crabgrass) with respect to the eucalyptus-free pots, and around 80%
for the small seeded dicots. Although the aerial biomass of maize was
reduced by 33%, the final relative yield of maize biomass with respect to
the untreated control increased by 37%. On the assessment of the temporal
phytotoxic effects, the reduction of aerial biomass in maize could be
overcome by adopting a relay-planting of maize after 12 to 15 days from
eucalyptus incorporation. Our results constitute evidence that the
incorporation of E. globulus residues to soil could be a
feasible practice to reduce the reliance on synthetic herbicides in
maize-based cropping systems.