University of Tabriz Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production 2476-4310 32 4 2022 12 22 Biomass Production and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Dill-Fenugreek Intercropping in Response to Biofertilizers and Manure Biomass Production and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Dill-Fenugreek Intercropping in Response to Biofertilizers and Manure 1 18 15810 10.22034/saps.2022.48673.2759 FA Vahid Babakhani MSc Student in Agronomy- Crop Ecology, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran. Enayatollah Tohidi-Nejad Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran. Gholamreza Khajoei-Nejad Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran. Jalal Ghanbari Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran. Journal Article 2021 10 27 Background and Objective: Medicinal plants’ intercropping system is a relatively new approach to enhance their sustainable production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of fenugreek-dill to the integrated application of manure and bio-fertilizers in the intercropping system. <br />Materials and Methods: In a field experiment during the growing season of 2020, the effect of manure levels (no application, 6 and 12 t ha-1), either inoculated or non-inoculated with N-fixing bacteria on biomass production, land equivalent ratio (LER), Area-time equivalent ratio, land use efficiency, agronomy efficiency of fertilizer (AEF), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in monoculture compared to different intercropping patterns of dill:fenugreek (75:25, 50:50, and 25:75) were examined.<br />Results: The results showed that the decrease in biomass production due to the decrease of fenugreek cropping ratio was compensated by 100% fertilization and bacterial inoculation which led to an increase in NUE, AEF, LERf, and the whole system advantageous in 75:25 and 50:50 dill:fenugreek intercropping ratios. Despite the decrease in biomass production and NUE with decreasing dill ratio in intercropping, biomass production under bacterial inoculation and 50% fertilization did not show any significant difference with 100% manure application, which led to increased AEF, NUE, and LER in these conditions. <br />Conclusion: According to the results, 25:75 and 50:50 dill:fenugreek intercropping ratios under 100% fertilization and bacterial inoculation can increase the total advantageous indices and NUE. For sustainable production of dill, 75:25 dill:fenugreek intercropping ratio inoculated with bacteria in 50% manure application can be recommended. Background and Objective: Medicinal plants’ intercropping system is a relatively new approach to enhance their sustainable production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of fenugreek-dill to the integrated application of manure and bio-fertilizers in the intercropping system. <br />Materials and Methods: In a field experiment during the growing season of 2020, the effect of manure levels (no application, 6 and 12 t ha-1), either inoculated or non-inoculated with N-fixing bacteria on biomass production, land equivalent ratio (LER), Area-time equivalent ratio, land use efficiency, agronomy efficiency of fertilizer (AEF), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in monoculture compared to different intercropping patterns of dill:fenugreek (75:25, 50:50, and 25:75) were examined.<br />Results: The results showed that the decrease in biomass production due to the decrease of fenugreek cropping ratio was compensated by 100% fertilization and bacterial inoculation which led to an increase in NUE, AEF, LERf, and the whole system advantageous in 75:25 and 50:50 dill:fenugreek intercropping ratios. Despite the decrease in biomass production and NUE with decreasing dill ratio in intercropping, biomass production under bacterial inoculation and 50% fertilization did not show any significant difference with 100% manure application, which led to increased AEF, NUE, and LER in these conditions. <br />Conclusion: According to the results, 25:75 and 50:50 dill:fenugreek intercropping ratios under 100% fertilization and bacterial inoculation can increase the total advantageous indices and NUE. For sustainable production of dill, 75:25 dill:fenugreek intercropping ratio inoculated with bacteria in 50% manure application can be recommended. https://sustainagriculture.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_15810_163bc4582b3835cbaa7ec1607dab8ad7.pdf