The effect of Chemical and Biological Fertilizers on some Morphological Traits and the Advantages of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) and fenugreek Intercropping

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D student of Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Department of Ecophysiology, Faculty og Agriculture, University of Tabriz

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

10.22034/saps.2026.67916.3378

Abstract

Background & Objectives: The tendency to produce oilseeds, as well as the demand for oilseed products, is growing worldwide, particularly under organic settings. Intercropping systems, as a kind of sustainable production, can make better use of available resources. This study was carried out to determine the effect of chemical and biological fertilizers on some morphological features and advantage indices of safflower in various intercropping patterns with fenugreek.
 
Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out as a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Faculty of Agriculture's research farm in Tabriz. The experimental treatments consisted of a two-level cropping pattern (pure safflower and 100:50 additive intercropping (safflower to fenugreek)) and a six-level fertilizer treatment. (control, 100% urea recommended by soil test, foliar application of NPK, Barvar 2 phosphate + 100% urea, Barvar 2 phosphate + 50% urea, Barvar 2 phosphate + NPK).
 
Results: According to the results, the most grain were produced in the capital by the treatment combination of Barvar 2 phosphate + NPK in pure cultivation and Barvar 2 phosphate + 100% urea in intercropping (with 61.8 and 64.47 numbers, respectively). The intercropping system resulted in a lower yield of safflower seeds than in pure cultivation.The highest grain yield (332.6 g m-2) and oil yield (85.18 g m-2) were obtained from pure cultivation of this plant in conjunction with the application of 100% urea. When 100% urea was applied to safflower grown in pure conditions, the grain yield rose by 7.9% and the oil yield by 1.5% in comparison to the control. However, the treatment of applying 50% urea along with Barvar 2 phosphate improved the grain yield by 4.1% and the oil output by 8.4% compared to the control. The 100% urea application treatment had the highest land equivalency ratio (2.1), while the NPK foliar application treatment had the lowest index (1.5). Conversely, the Barvar 2 phosphate + 50% urea application treatments produced the best relative yield of safflower (1.37), while the NPK foliar application treatment produced the highest relative yield of fenugreek (0.47).
 
Conclusion: According to the study's findings, the most effective nutritional treatments for boosting safflower's grain and oil yields were 50% urea + Barvar 2 phosphate in intercropping and 100% urea in pure cultivation. As a result, these treatments can be suggested for farmers use. 

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Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production
Volume 37, Issue 3
October 2027
Pages 271-288

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