Effect of Intercropping Ratios of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) with Persian Shallot (Allium altissimum Regel.) on their Agronomic Criteria and Land Equivalent Ratio

پژوهشهای زراعی ایران

Article 4, Volume 18, Issue 2 - Serial Number 58, July 2020, Pages 181-196   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/gsc.v18i2.73256

Authors

J Meshkani; M Kafi; S Khorramdel^* ; F Moallem Banhangi

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Abstract

Introduction
Medicinal plants are a rich source of bioactive compounds, and these plants are thought to be safe to human beings and the environment compared to the synthetic medicines for the treatment of many diseases. The active principles of the plants are generally secondary metabolites. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an herbaceous and annual medicinal plant belonging to Apiaceae family which is planted in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. Persian shallot (Allium altissimum Regel.) is another medicinal, industrial and perennial plant that has underground bulbs. It is one of the most important Allium species in Iran, which normally grows in semi-cold to very cold highlands. In the last decade, agricultural production, which is mainly based on the application of chemical inputs, is causing environmental impacts. The use of ecological farming approaches, enhancing yield and quality, they will be effective. Intercropping allows for improved resource use efficiency such as light, water and nutrients and beneficial interactions between the companion plants. It works to decrease the spread of plant diseases by reducing the quantity of susceptible host plants. Other benefits of intercropping include optimal use of resources, stabilization of yield, weed control, improved soil fertility, and higher economic returns. This study has evaluated the effect of intercropping ratios as replacement series of cumin and Persian shallot on agronomic criteria such as yield components, yield, harvest index, dry matter accumulation and land equivalent ratio.
Materials and Methods
This experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during growing season of 2014-2015. Intercropping ratios as replacement series such as 80% cumin+20% Persian shallot, 60% cumin+40% Persian shallot, 50% cumin+50% Persian shallot, 40% cumin+60% Persian shallot, 20% cumin+80% Persian shallot and their pure culture were considered as treatments. Plant density for Persian shallot bulbs and cumin seeds were considered as 10 bulbs.m-2 and 120 plants.m-2, respectively. Studied traits were umbel numbers per plant, seed numbers per umbel, 1000-seed weight, biological yield and seed yield of cumin and daughter bulb diameter, mother bulb diameter, fresh weight of daughter bulb, fresh weight of mother bulb, biological yield, fresh yield of bulb, dry weight of bulb of Persian shallot and land equivalent ratio (LER).
The LER was computed through the following equation:
Where, Yij: Yield of cumin under intercropping conditions, Yji: Yield of Persian shallot under intercropping conditions, Yii: Yield of cumin under sole crop conditions and Yjj: Yield of Persian shallot under sole crop conditions. The treatments were run as an analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine if significant differences existed among means. Multiple comparison tests were conducted for significant effects using the LSD test.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the effect of intercropping ratios was significant (p≤0.05) on yield and yield components of cumin and Persian shallot. By decreasing intercropping ratios of Persian shallot improved its criteria. Diameter of mother bulb and production of daughter bulb in intercropping ratios were increased up to 52 and 68% compared to sole culture, respectively. Studied traits of cumin were improved by changing in planting ratios from intercropping to its pure culture. The maximum amounts of dry bulb weight were related to pure culture (82.9 g.m-2) and 20% cumin+80% Persian shallot (85.3 g.m-2). The highest seed yield of cumin was observed in pure culture with 115 g.m-2. The highest and the lowest LER were computed in 50% cumin+50% Persian shallot (1.49) and 80% cumin+20% Persian shallot (1.15).
 Conclusions
Intercropping of Persian shallot and cumin had significantly effect on their yield and yield components. The results confirmed the better use of resources especially for radiation and water of these plants in intercropping ratios. In general, it seems that intercropping may be suitable cropping approach for sustainable production of medicinal plants.
Acknowledgement
This research was funded by Vice Chancellor for Research of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, which is hereby acknowledged.
 

Keywords

Beneficial interaction; Stabilization of yield; Soil Conservation; Medicinal plants; resource use efficiency

References

1. Alizadeh, Y., Koocheki, A., and Nassiri Mahallati, M. 2016. Evaluation of radiation use efficiency of intercropping of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and herb sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Journal of Agroecology 2 (1): 85-94. (in Persian with English abstract).

2. Alizadeh, Y., Koocheki, A., and Nassiri Mahallati, M. 2010. Yield, yield components and potential weed control of intercropping bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) with sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research 7 (2): 541-553. (in Persian with English abstract).

3. Allahdadi, M., Shakiba, M. R., Dabbagh Mohammadi Nasab, A., and Amini, R. 2013. Evaluation of yield and advantages of soybean (Glycine max L.) Merrill.) and calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) intercropping systems. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Production Science (Agricultural Sciences) 23 (3): 47-58. (in Persian with English abstract).

4. Asadi, G. A., Khorramdel, S., and Hatefi Farajian, M. H. 2016. The Effects of row intercropping ratios of chickpea and saffron on their quantitative characteristics and yield. Saffron Agronomy and Technology 4 (2): 93-103. (in Persian with English abstract).

5. Boquet, D. J., Moser, E. B., and Breitenbeck, G. A. 1993. Nitrogen effect on boll production of field growth cotton. Agronomy Journal 85: 34-39.

6. Chao Dai, C., Chen, Y., Xing– Xiang, W., and Pei–Dong, L. 2012. Effects of intercropping of peanut with the medicinal plant Atractylodes lancea on soil microecology and peanut yield in subtropical China. Agroforestry Systems Springer Science+ Business Media.

7. Dash, M. C., and Petra, U. C. 1979. Wermicompost production and nitrogen contribution to soil by a tropical earthworm population from a grassland site in Orissa India. Ecological and Biological Soil Journal 16: 79-83.

8. Fisher, N. M. 1976. Experiment with maize/ Potato mixed crops in an area with two rainy seasons in highlands of Kenya. In: Symposium on Intercropping in Semi- arid area Morogoro. Tanzania, 10-12 May.

9. Jahani, M., Koocheki, A., and Nassiri Mahallati, M. 2008. Comparison of different intercropping arrangements of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and lentil (Lens culinaris). Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research 6 (1): 67-78. (in Persian with English abstract).

10. Haghiroalsadat, F., Vahidi, A., Sabour, M., Azimzadeh, M., Kalantar M., and Sharafadini, M. 2011. The indigenous Cuminum cyminum L. of Yazd province: chemical assessment and evaluation of its antioxidant effects. Journal of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services 19 (4): 472-81.

11. Hosseinpanahi, F., Koocheki, A., Nassiri Mahallati, M., and Ghorbani, R. 2010. Evaluation of radiation absorption and use efficiency in potato/corn intercropping. Journal of Agroecology 1 (2): 50-60. (in Persian with English abstract).

12. Kafi, M. 1989. Effect of weed control frequency and density on yield and yield components of cumin. MSc Thesis. College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. (in Persian with English abstract).

13. Kafi, M., Rezvan Bidokhti, S., and Sanjani, S. 2011. The effect of planting date and plant density on yield and morphological traits of Iranian Shallot (Allium altissimum Regel.) Weather in Mashhad. Journal of Horticultural Science 25 (3): 310-319. (in Persian with English abstract).

14. Keshtehgar, A., Dahmardeh, M., Galavi, M., and Khammari, I. 2015. Evaluation of yield and yield components of peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) in intercropping with maize (Zea mays L.). Agronomy Journal 107: 115-123. (in Persian with English abstract).

15. Khezri, S. S. 2003. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Rostamkhani Publication, 568 pp. Central Asia. Ege University Press, Izmir, Turkey.

16. Khorramdel, S., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Asadi, G. A., and Mirshekari, A. 2016. Effect of additive intercropping series of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) with saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on their yield and yield components. Journal of Saffron Research 4 (1): 53-71. (in Persian with English abstract).

17. Khory, R. N., and Katrak N. N. 1985. Materia Medica of India and Therapeutics. Dehli: Neeray Publishing House, p. 285-6.

18. Koocheki, A., Nassiri Mahallati, M., Mondani, F., Feizi, H., and Amirmoradi, S. 2009. Evaluation of radiation interception and use by maize and bean intercropping canopy. Journal of Agroecology 1 (1): 13-23. (in Persian with English abstract).

19. Koocheki, A., Shabahang, J., Khorramdel, S., and Amin Ghafouri, A. 2012. Ecological Study of different patterns of row intercropping borage (Borago officinalis L.) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Journal of Agroecology 4 (1): 1-11. (in Persian with English abstract).

20. Lafond, G. P. 1994. Effects of row spacing, seeding rate and nitrogen on yield of barley and wheat under zero-till management. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 74: 703-711.

21. Mansouri, H., Bannayan Aval, M., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., and Lakzian, A. 2014. Management of nitrogen, irrigation and planting density in Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium) by using central composite optimizing method. Sustainable Agriculture and Production Science 41-60. (in Persian with English abstract).

22. Mazaheri, D. 1997. Intercropping. Tehran University Press. (in Persian).

23. Nachigera, G. M., Leadent, J. F., and Draye, X. 2008. Shoot and root competition in potato/maize intercropping. Effects on growth and yield. Environmental and Experimental Botany 64: 180-188.

24. Najybnya, S. A. 2010. Evaluation of absorption efficiency, productivity consumption and radiation, water and nutrients in the ship's systems rape, beans and corn. Crop ecology doctoral dissertation. Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. (in Persian with English abstract).

25. Nassiri Mahallati, M., Koocheki, A., and Jahan, M. 2010. Light absorption and use efficiency in winter wheat and maize cropping and relay intercropping. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research 8 (6): 878-890. (in Persian with English abstract).

26. Nourbakhsh, F. 2012. Compare different indexes of mixed cultures and a row of sesame (Sesamum indicum) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Master's Thesis Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. (in Persian with English abstract).

27. Olsson, G. 1960. Some relations between number of seeds per pod, seed size and oil content and the effects of selection for these characters in Brassica and Sinapis. Hereditas 46 (1-2): 29-70.

28. Raei, Y., Ghasemi Golezani, K., Javanshir, A., Aliari, H., and Mohammadi, A. 2008. Effects of plant density on soybean (Glycine max L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) intercropping. Journal of Water and Soil Science 12 (45): 35-44. (in Persian with English abstract).

29. Rahimian, H., Salahi Moghaddam, M., and Galavi, M. 1991. Potato intercropping with maize and sunflower. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology 6 (1): 45-48. (in Persian with English abstract).

30. Rezvan Bidokhti, S. 2005. Compare different combinations in mixed cropping of maize and beans. Agriculture graduate thesis. Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. (in Persian with English abstract).

31. Rezvan Beydokhti, S., Nezami, A., Kafi, M., and Khazaei, H. R. 2011. Effects of freezing stress on electrolyte leakage of Persian shallot (Allium altissimum Regel.) under controlled condition. Agroecology 3 (3): 371-382. (in Persian with English abstract).

32. Rezvani Moghaddam, P., and Moradi, R. 2012. Assessment of planting date, biological fertilizer and intercropping on yield and essential oil of cumin and fenugreek. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research 2: 217-230. (in Persian with English abstract).

33. Sabzevari, S., Kafi, M., Bannayan, M., and Khazaie, H. R. 2015. Investigation of thermal requirement, growth and yield characteristics of two species of Persian shallot (Allium altissimum and A. hertifulium) in different density, bulb weight and flowering stem removing. Journal of Agroecology 6 (4): 836-847. (in Persian with English abstract).

34. Sabzevari, S., Kafi, M., Banayan, M., and Khazaie, H. R. 2013. Study thermal requirements, growth and yield of Iranian shallot Allium altissimum Regel. and Boiss A. hertifulium different treatments of density, the weight of onions inflorescence inflorescence. Journal of Agroecology 4 (6): 836-847. (in Persian with English abstract).

35. Yi Kai, Z., Fan Jun, C., Long, L., Yan Hua, C., Bing Ran, C., Yu Ling, Z., Li Xing, Y., Fu Suo, Z., and Guo Hua, M. 2012. The role of maize root size in phosphorus uptake and productivity of maize/ faba bean and maize/ wheat intercropping systems. Science China. Life Sciences 55 (11): 993-100.

36. von Bruchhausen, F. 1973. Hager’s handbuch der pharmazeutischen praxis. Vol 4. Berlin: Springer Verlag, p. 363-365.

37. Walker, S., and Ogindo, H.O. 2003. The water budget of rainfed maize and bean intercrop. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 28: 919-926.

38. Zarifpour, N., Naseri Poor Yazdi, M., and Nassiri Mahallati, M. 2014. Evaluate the effect of different intercropping arrangements of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) on quantity and quality characteristic of species. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research 12 (1): 34-43. (in Persian with English abstract).

39. Zhang, F., and Li, L. 2003. Using competitive and facilitative interactions in intercropping systems enhances crop productivity and nutrient- use efficiency. Plant and Soil 248: 305-312.