Effect of Biofertilizer Application on Agronomic Characteristics and Yield of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) in Intercropping with Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Dept. of Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

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

3 Dept. of Plant Ecophysiology/Faculty of Agriculture University of Tabriz

10.22034/saps.2025.64883.3317

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Sustainable agriculture is a combination of agricultural management knowledge that can be beneficial in the long term from a biological, environmental and economic perspective. One of the solutions for sustainable agriculture is the use of intercropping and biofertilizers. In this regard, the present study investigates the effect of different biofertilizer and intercropping treatments with basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) on the growth characteristics and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.).
 
Materials & Methods: An experiment was conducted in a Farm in Chaldran city in 2021. The experiment was conducted as a factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was the type of cultivation in five levels including monocropping of fenugreek, intercropping with basil by the replacement method in the form of a row intercropping with the ratios of 2:2, 2:4, 3:5 fenugreek-basil and an additive intercropping of (100% basil + 50% of fenugreek).  The second factor was the type of fertilizer in three levels including the application of 100% chemical fertilizer (NPK), biofertilizer (Mycoroot + Biofarm), and combination of 50% chemical fertilizer and biofertilizer (Mycoroot + Biofarm).
 
Results: According to the results the highest fenugreek grain yield was produced in 2F:2B treatment (70.61) g/m2 which had a significant difference with other cultivation patterns. Also, based on the results, the effect of fertilizer treatments and planting system on plant height, number of pods and fenugreek oil yield was significant, but the maximum value of these traits was related to the 2 rows of fenugreek: 2 rows of basil treatment (49.62 cm), (24 pods) and (3g/m2). The land equivalence ratio in all treatments was more than one and the highest value (2/01) was observed in intercropping of 2F:2B two rows of fenugreek-two rows of basil with the combination of biofertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizer.
 
Conclusion: According to oil yield, fenugreek grain yield, and land equivalent ratio, intercropping of fenugreek and basil is a suitable alternative to monocropping of these plants, Also in order to reduce the chemical fertilizers use, it can be combined with biofertilizers. In this research two rows of fenugreek-two rows of basil intercropping pattern can be suggested.
 

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References

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production
Volume 36, Issue 2
2026
Pages 107-122

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