Effects of chemical fertilizers and organic manure, and their combinations on micronutrient concentration and uptake of fenugreek-black cumin under different planting patterns

The appropriate concentration of micronutrients is not only necessary for normal growth and yield of plants, but also for the growth and health of animals and humans in the food chain. So, in order to evaluate the effects of chemical fertilizers and organic manure, and their combinations, on micronutrient concentration and uptake of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) -black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) under different planting patterns, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Shahrekord University research farm in 2013. Five planting patterns were used, namely sole cropping of fenugreek, sole cropping of black cumin, fenugreek: black cumin (2:1), fenugreek: black cumin (1:1) and fenugreek: black cumin (1:2); three fertilization sources consisting of chemical fertilizer, broiler litter and integrated fertilizer (chemical fertilizer: broiler litter) were evaluated. The results showed that micronutrient concentrations were as follows: iron, zinc and manganese concentration of black cumin > fenugreek and copper concentration of black cumin < fenugreek. Under chemical fertilizer application, intercropping only increased the zinc and manganese concentration in black cumin. Black cumin/fenugreek (1:2) treated with integrated fertilizer and black cumin/fenugreek (2:1) under broiler litter had the highest uptakes of iron and zinc (242 and 269 g ha-1), respectively. However, the highest uptakes of manganese and copper resulted from sole cropping of black cumin and sole cropping of fenugreek, respectively. Overall, it can be stated that the use of intercropping treated with organic manure is an appropriate strategy for increasing the uptake efficiency of some nutrients in calcareous soils.