Abstract:
Intercropping is one of the
environmental friendly ways to improve the
use of resources and weed control. A field
experiment was performed on maize
intercropped with sweet basil and borage
under weed free and infestation conditions.
The experimental design was a factorial
based on randomized complete block design
with three replicates. Factors included weed
infestation levels (weed free and weed
infestated) and intercropping ratios (100:0,
75:25, 50:50, 25: 75, and 0:100, maize:
sweet basil or borage). The intercroppping
treatments decreased weeds biomass
compared to the monocultures of borage and
sweet basil. The weeds biomass and density
in maize monoculture was lower than the
monocultures of the other two plants. Under
sole crop condition, the plants yield was
higher than intercropping treatments. Weed
interference decreased the yield of plants,
while this decrease was less in intercropping
treatments. Area-time equivalent ratio value
showed that the ratios of 50:50 maize: sweet
basil, maize: borage and 25:75 maize:
borage provided the yield advantages of
11%, 11% and 36% under weed infestation,
respectively. Also, area-time equivalent
ratio values were higher in weed infestation
compared to weed free treatments. The
leaves essential oil of sweet basil under
intercropping treatments, especially in
weedy condition, was further than
monocropping treatments. Intercropping of
maize with sweet basil was more successful
than intercropping with borage in reducing
weeds biomass and density. In general, the
intercropping of maize with sweet basil was
more efficient compared to intercroppping
with borage.
