Investigation the different barley (Hordeum vulgare) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graecum) growth characteristics intercropping under nitrogen fertilizer at barley flowering stage

In order to study the competition ability and production potential of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graecum) intercropping under nitrogen fertilizer in barley flowering stage a field experiment was conducted in experimental farm of Agricultural Faculty of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz at 2015-2016 growing season. Experimental design was randomized complete block as a factorial arrangement with three replications. The first factor was 8 planting patterns includes barley sole cropping, fenugreek sole cropping, fenugreek-barley intercropping ratios includes 2:1, 2:2, 3:1, 1:3, as replacement series, 100% barley+20% fenugreek as additive series and mixed intercropping. The second factor was two nitrogen fertilizer application includes control (no nitrogen fertilizer) and 40 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer. The results of showed the highest total dry matter at barley flowering stage (1345.1 gr/m2) was obtained at 3:1 barley-fenugreek intercropping and the lowest one (482.6 gr/m2) was recorded at fenugreek sole cropping without nitrogen fertilizer. Also the results revealed that all intercropping treatments had the highest dry matter than sole cropping that it showed the intercropping had superiority than sole cropping. The highest Land Equivalent Ratio (LER=1.5) was obtained at 3:1 barley-fenugreek intercropping. So that it is concluded that at barley flowering stage the best treatment was 3:1barley-fenugreek intercropping with 40 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer.