October 02, 2024 | Agro Productividad |
This study conducted by Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas examined how selected bioactive plant species influence the chemical and microbiological properties of soils associated with rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) cultivation. Interest in plant–soil interactions has increased due to their potential role in improving soil health and supporting sustainable fruit production. However, limited information is available on how medicinal or bioactive companion plants affect soil conditions in tropical fruit systems.
The researchers evaluated four bioactive plants—Ruta graveolens, Ocimum basilicum, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, and Chenopodium ambrosoides—grown in association with rambutan. A randomized complete block design with five treatments and six replications was used. Soil samples were collected at planting and one year later to assess changes in physicochemical properties and microbial populations.
The results showed that most soil nutrients changed between sampling years, except for nitrogen, indicating temporal shifts in soil chemical status. Microbial communities also varied markedly over time. The presence of bioactive plants promoted increases in beneficial microorganisms while pathogenic populations remained low and did not cause visible plant damage. Specific associations were observed, such as Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus spp. with S. jamaicensis, and Trichoderma and Aspergillus with R. graveolens and O. basilicum, suggesting a role of plant root exudates in shaping microbial communities.
Overall, the study demonstrates that integrating bioactive plants can modify soil nutrient dynamics and favor beneficial microorganisms, supporting more sustainable rambutan production systems.
