Assessment of Growth Characteristics and Yield of Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica) under Different Fertilizer Treatments in Intercropping with Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.

The effect of different fertilizer treatments on yield, yield components and essential oil of Moldavian balm in intercropping with faba bean was ev;iated by field experiment as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2014. The first factor was cropping system at four levels including sole cropping of Moldavian balm and three intercropping ratios (1:1, 2:2 and 2:4) of faba bean with Moldavian balm, and the second factor was fertilizer at three levels including nitrogen and phosphorus chemical fertilizer, bio-fertilizer (Azoto Barvar Barvar-2) 50% of chemical fertilizers, and vermicompost. The maximum flowering branches yield per occupied unit area (115.5 g.m-2) was recorded in the pure cropping of Moldavian balm with the application of the 100% chemical fertilizers. The maximum grain yield per occupied unit area was observed in sole cropping (56.02 g.m-2) and among fertilizer treatments was belonged to 100% chemical fertilizer (41.06 g.m-2). The highest essential oil yield (27.41 Kg.ha-1) was recorded in the cropping system of 2:2 faba bean-Moldavian balm. Additionally, among fertilizer treatments, the highest essential oil yield (31.88 Kg.ha-1) was observed in 100% chemical fertilizers treatment. Thus, in faba bean-Moldavian balm intercropping, cropping system of 2:2 and application of 100% chemical fertilizers can improve the essential oil yield in the unit area.