The effect of biofertilizer on the growth characteristics and yield of Moldavian balm (Dracocephalam moldavica L.) in intercropping with fenugreek

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Professor/Department of Plant Ecophysiology/Faculty of Agriculture/ University of Tabriz

Abstract

Background & Objective: ‌The aim of the study was investigating the effects of different intercropping patterns with fenugreek and bio-fertilizers on growth characteristics and yield of Moldavian-balm and evaluating the advantage of intercropping patterns by determining the land equivalent ratio (LER) index.
Materials & Methods: A factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with 15 treatments and three replications in Maragheh city in 2019. The first factor was cropping-pattern consisted of sole Moldavian-balm and intercropping of Moldavian-balm with fenugreek in replacement patterns (Mb:F) and additive intercropping. The second factor was fertilizer treatment included the use of chemical-fertilizers (CF), Myco-Root bio-fertilizer (M) and the combination of Myco-Root and Biofarm bio-fertilizer (M+B).
Results: The results showed that the effects of cropping-patterns and fertilizer treatments and the interaction of these factors were significant on most of the tested traits. The highest leaf chlorophyll-index (39.06) was observed in sole Moldavian-balm+CF and the greatest plant height (101.7‌cm) was also observed in 1:1+CF, which was not significantly different with M+B. The highest dry herbage yield was obtained in sole Moldavian-balm and M+B (8213kg/ha) and CF (8130‌kg/ha). At all intercropping patterns the LER values were higher than 1 and the greatest one was obtained in 100: 50.
Conclusion: According to the results of yield and LER, it can be concluded that the intercropping of Moldavian-balm and fenugreek, also the combined use of bio-fertilizers of Myco-Root and Biofarm, is a suitable alternative to sole‌-cropping and reduce the use of chemical-fertilizers in sustainable production of Moldavian-balm.

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