Evaluation of growth indices of Ajowan and Fenugreek in pure culture and intercropping based on organic agriculture

Document Type : Research Article

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effect of animal manure on Ajowan (Carum copticum) and Fenugreek
(Trigonella foenum-graecum) different intercropping, an experiment was conducted as split plot on the basis of complete randomized block with three replications in 2005. For this reason four levels of animal manure (15,20,25,30 tons/ha) was allocated to the main plots and different intercropping of Ajowan and Fenugreek at 5 levels in subplots (A: pure stand of Ajowan, B: pure stand of Fenugreek, C: single-row intercropping of Ajowan and Fenugreek, D: double-row intercropping of Ajowan and Fenugreek, E: triple-row intercropping of Ajowan and Fenugreek). Results showed that Ajowan leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR) in double-row intercropping, and dry matter (DM) accumulation in triple-row intercropping were highest, while for Fenugreek triple-row intercropping showed the highest LAI and CGR and also single-row intercropping had the highest DM. In Ajowan the highest DM accumulation was obtained with 30 ton/ha animal manure, while the highest LAI and CGR was obtained with 20 ton/ha. Howevere, in Fenugreek the highest values for these parameters were obtained in 25 ton/ha.

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