Harnessing the potential of Mucuna cover cropping: a comprehensive review of its agronomic and environmental benefits

Abstract

The coconut plant (Cocos nucifera L.), an essential tropical agricultural commodity, encounters a range of obstacles including the proliferation of unwanted weed vegetation, deterioration of soil quality, and depletion of essential nutrients. Conventional methods such as herbicide application and manual labor possess constraints, prompting a growing interest in environmentally sustainable alternatives such as cover cropping to address these challenges. Mucuna, a diverse genus of climbing vines and shrubs in the legume family, has drawn attention for its potential as a beneficial cover crop, offering various agricultural and environmental benefits. Mucuna species are known for their rapid growth, ability to fix nitrogen, and weed-controlling properties, making them well-suited for enhancing soil health and fertility. Moreover, their deep taproot systems contribute to soil aeration and compaction alleviation. The allelopathic potential of Mucuna offers an eco-friendly approach to weed control, reducing reliance on synthetic herbicides. In addition, the inclusion of Mucuna in the soil has the potential to enhance the population of beneficial organisms and support greater biodiversity. Therefore, this can potentially lead to beneficial effects on the implementation of sustainable agricultural methods. Mucuna provides various secondary benefits in addition to its primary agronomic advantages. The seeds and biomass of this plant function as a valuable source of nourishing fodder and feed for a diverse range of livestock, hence enabling the implementation of animal husbandry techniques. Additionally, Mucuna seeds exhibit potential as a nutrient-dense food source for human consumption, boasting demonstrated medicinal properties such as neuroprotective effects and potential in managing diabetes. Incorporating Mucuna cover cropping within coconut plantations can yield several benefits, including improvements in soil hydro-physical properties, enhanced pest and disease control, increased land productivity, and a reduced environmental footprint compared to conventional agricultural methods. The ability of Mucuna to adapt to varied climatic and soil conditions further increases its potential as a long-term and environmentally beneficial option. This review highlights the importance of Mucuna cover cropping and suggests customized recommendations. Furthermore, it proposes future research avenues, such as exploring its role in bolstering climate change resilience and its phytoremediation capabilities, to broaden our comprehension of this versatile cover crop. In conclusion, utilizing the potential of Mucuna inside coconut plantations is a possible path toward sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.

Keywords

• allelopathic effect
• coconut
• conventional agriculture
• leguminous plant
• soil health