Evaluation of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) intercropping

This research was carried out to evaluate the performance of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) intercropping system during the growing season of 2009-2010 at a research field located in Kerman, Iran. The experiment was done based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were five different intercropping arrangements consisted of T1: 100% lentil (eight rows per plot), T2: 75% lentil and 25% fenugreek (three rows lentil-two rows fenugreek-three rows lentil), T3: 50% fenugreek and 50% lentil (alternating rows of fenugreek and lentil), T4: 25% lentil and 75% fenugreek (three rows fenugreek-two rows lentil-three rows fenugreek) and T5: 100% fenugreek (eight rows per plot). Results showed that different intercropping arrangements had significant effects on all the traits except number of fenugreek grains per pod, lentil harvest index and 1000-grain weight of both plants (p≤0.05). T3 indicated the highest values of the evaluated traits in both plants. Proportionately, yield declined with decreasing the proportion of each intercropped plant. The maximum land equivalent ratio (LER) and net income which related to T3 were 1.77 and 34379000 (Rs/ha), respectively, that showed an overall advantage of this intercropping arrangement in comparison with monoculture. Relative value total (RVT) was greater than one in all intercropping treatments, indicating the economical advantage of the intercropped lentil and fenugreek compared to monoculture and the highest RVT (1.65) was ob-tained from T3.