Evaluation of Yield, Essential Oil percentage and Advantage Indices in Fenugreek and Savory Intercropping ratios

To investigate the effects of different intercropping arrangement on fenugreek and savory yield and essential oil. An experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) was conducted with three replications. Treatments included different row intercropping systems; 1+1, 1+2, 2+1, 2+2, 1+3, 3+1 (savory+fenugreek) and sole cropping fenugreek and savory. Results revealed that fenugreek yield in sole cropping is significantly higher than that of intercropping system. The highest percentage of fenugreek grain protein, savory dry weight, savory essential oil percentage and essential oil yield was obtained in 1 row savory+1 row fenugreek. The highest fenugreek essential oil yield was achieved in sole cropping and 1 row savory+3 row fenugreek. Among the used intercropping treatments, the highest intercropping advantage (IA) (1.29) was obtained in 1 row savory+3 row fenugreek. The maximum land equivalent ratio (LER) values (1.94) was obtained in 1 row savory+1 row fenugreek, indicating yield improvement in intercropping systems by 94 percent as compared with sole cropping. According to the yield and agronomic and economic benefits, it seems that 1 row savory+1 row fenugreek is suitable for increasing the income of farmers and land use efficiency.