Assessment of Canopy Characteristics and Essential Oil Yeild of Fenugreek and Black cumin in Intercropping under Application of Organic and Chemical Ferilizer

Abstract
            I n order to investigate the effect of sowing ratio on some canopy ecological characteristics and  essential oil production of fenugreek and black cumin under different fertilizer sources, a factorial experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications at Shahrekord University research farm in 2013. Sole cropping of fenugreek (F), sole cropping of black cumin (B) and three intercropping ratios (F:B, 2:1 (two rows of fenugreek + one of black cumin), 1:1(one row of fenugreek + one row of black cumin ), and 1:2 (one row of fenugreek + two rows of black cumin )) were evaluated as the first factor and three sources of fertilizer consist of chemical fertilizer, organic manure and integrated fertilizer (1:1) as the second factor. Results indicated that the highest amount of chlorophyll a for fenugreek and black cumin was observed in B:F (1:2) treated with integrated fertilizer and B:F (2:1) treated with chemical fertilizer, respectively. The highest chlorophyll b of both plants was achieved in B:F (1:1) treated with chemical fertilizer source. The maximum soil temperature (28.9 °C) and soil moisture (22%) were associated with sole cropping of black cumin and sole cropping of fenugreek treated with organic manure source, respectively. The greatest light interception (80.19 %) and oil essential yeild (26.64 kg.ha^-1) were achieved in B:F (1:2) treated with integrated fertilizer. In general it can be concluded that use of intercropping under integrated fertilizer conditions by improving of photosynthetic conditions cause to increase the yeild of essential oil.