Bioactive Species Associated with Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) and Their Influence on Soil Chemical and Microbiological Properties

Objective: To know the influence of the bioactive plants Ruta graveolens L., Ocimum basilicum L., Stachytarpheta jamaicensis and Chenopodium ambrosoides L., on the chemical and microbiological properties of the soil associated with Nephelium lappaceum L. Design/methodology/approach: Cuttings of R. graveolens L., O. basilicum L., S. jamaicensis (L.) Vahl and C. ambrosoides L. were collected and five treatments with six replications each were established, using a randomized complete block design. At the time of planting the medicinal plants and one year later, a soil sample was collected at a depth of 30 cm for physicochemical (UNACH-FCA) and microbiological analysis of the soil (MASTERLAB S. A. de C. V) to record variables. Results: The chemical analyses results showed changes in the content of most nutrients between sampling years, with the exception of N. Microorganism populations also exhibited contrasting values ​​between the two sampling periods. Limitations on study/implications: The answer may vary depending on plant density and time of year. Findings/conclusions: The association of bioactive plants induces changes in soil nutrients, with year-to-year fluctuations. Furthermore, it promotes differential growth among the populations of beneficial and harmful microorganisms. Beneficial microorganisms increased, and the presence of pathogens in low populations did not result in plant damage. Beneficial microorganisms such as Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus spp. were present with S. jamaicensis, and Trichoderma and Aspergillus with R. graveolens and O. basilicum, suggesting a dependence on exudates.