Abstract:
Intercropping is an important
and sustainable cropping practice in
agroecosystems. Intercropping is a planting
technique that farmers and gardeners can
use to promote beneficial plant interactions
and increases in biodiversity, enhanced
production and lower economic risk. In the
search for sustainable agricultural methods
for medicinal plants, fenugreek and dill
plants were intercropped at different
additive (1:20, 1:40 and 1:60) and
replacement (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) series, at the
Research Farm of the Faculty of
Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Iran.
Field experiment was arranged as split plot
based on randomized complete block design
in three replicates. Dill umbels were
harvested at flowering, pasty and complete
ripening stages. Results showed that among
harvesting times, pasty stage had maximum
essential oil percentage, essential oil yield
and harvest index of essential oil, whereas
among intercropping patterns, 1:1 and 1:20
treatments had the maximum values.
Fenugreek as a medicinal, forage and
legume crop promote dill essential oil yield
and harvest index and could be an effective
plant in intercropping systems.
