Growth, yield components and competitive indices of fennel and fenugreek as influenced by intercropping system and phosphorus fertilizer rate

Abstract EN

The present study was conducted at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture (Ghazala Farm), Zagazig University, Egypt during the two seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014.

The effect of intercropping systems of fennel and fenugreek at ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 2:1 on alternative rows in comparison with sole cropped of each species and different phosphorus fertilization rates (0.0, 32 and 48 P2O5 kg/faddan) and their combination treatments on growth, yield components, oil production as well as some competitive indices of both tested crops.

Application of phosphorus at 48 kg P2O5/faddan caused significant increase in all parameters of fennel and fenugreek over the other rates under study.

Intercropping system 1:3 (fennel: fenugreek), in most cases, significantly increased the recorded growth parameters, yield components, fixed oil content of fenugreek and volatile oil yield per fennel plant as well as competitive indices of the two components in the two seasons, whereas all intercropping systems significantly decreased seed, fruit and oil yield per faddan compared to sole crop (control).

In addition, from studying competitive indices, it was clear that, the high land equivalent ratio (1.137 and 1.156), area time equivalent ratio (1.013 and 1.023), land utilization efficiency (107.53% and 108.72%) and relative crowding coefficient (2.143 and 2.917) values were achieved by the combination treatment between intercropping system of one row of fennel alternating with three rows of fenugreek combined with phosphorus at a rate of 32 P2O5 kg/faddan during the first and second seasons, respectively.

Generally, it could be gained from sowing one faddan, by using the intercropping pattern of 1:3 combined with phosphorus fertilization at 32 kg P2O5/faddan , the same yield which would required about 1.137 or 1.156 faddan of each crop cultivated alone.

Also this treatment is economic by using small area.