The effect of biofertilizer on the growth characteristics and yield of Moldavian balm (Dracocephalam moldavica L.) in intercropping with fenugreek

The aim of the study was investigating the effects of different intercropping patterns with fenugreek and bio-fertilizers on growth characteristics and yield of Moldavian-balm and evaluating the advantage of intercropping patterns by determining the land equivalent ratio (LER) index.

A factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with 15 treatments and three replications in Maragheh city in 2019. The first factor was cropping-pattern consisted of sole Moldavian-balm and intercropping of Moldavian-balm with fenugreek in replacement patterns (Mb:F) and additive intercropping. The second factor was fertilizer treatment included the use of chemical-fertilizers (CF), Myco-Root bio-fertilizer (M) and the combination of Myco-Root and Biofarm bio-fertilizer (M+B).

The results showed that the effects of cropping-patterns and fertilizer treatments and the interaction of these factors were significant on most of the tested traits. The highest leaf chlorophyll-index (39.06) was observed in sole Moldavian-balm+CF and the greatest plant height (101.7 cm) was also observed in 1:1+CF, which was not significantly different with M+B. The highest dry herbage yield was obtained in sole Moldavian-balm and M+B (8213kg/ha) and CF (8130 kg/ha). At all intercropping patterns the LER values were higher than 1 and the greatest one was obtained in 100: 50.

According to the results of yield and LER, it can be concluded that the intercropping of Moldavian-balm and fenugreek, also the combined use of bio-fertilizers of Myco-Root and Biofarm, is a suitable alternative to sole -cropping and reduce the use of chemical-fertilizers in sustainable production of Moldavian-balm.