جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « intercropping » در نشریات گروه « زراعت »

Under water stress conditions, intercropping can be used as a strategy for maximum use of sunlight and limited water resources. Due to the difference in morphological and physiological traits, the two plants corn and mung bean may be suitable for intercropping under drought stress; Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of drought stress on the physiological traits and yield of corn and mung beans in monocultures and intercropping in order to study the possibility of reducing water consumption in this production system.

An experiment was carried out as a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Ilam University during 2019-2020 growing season. The main plot were four water regimes including (40, 60, 80, and 100% of the plant's water requirement) and the subplots were include the planting pattern at four levels (additive intercropping series 100% corn + 50% mung bean, replacement intercropping series 50% corn + 50% mung bean and monocultures of mung bean and corn). The application of drought stress started after the establishment stage of the plant and continued until the harvest. At the end of the growth period, some physiological traits of both plants were measured, including photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, proline amount, leaf relative water content and grain yield. Finally, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using Minitab 14 and SAS 9.1 softwares and the means compared by HSD test at 5% probability level (p≤0.05).

The results showed the highest rate of photosynthesis (25.4 µmol CO2.m-2.s-1) was obtained in the treatment of 100% water requirement and the lowest rate of photosynthesis was obtained in 40% water requirement, which showed a decrease of 68.5% compared to the well-watered conditions. The rate of photosynthesis of corn in the replacement intercropping of 50% corn + 50% mung bean was 18.3% higher compared to monocultures corn. The highest rate of mung bean photosynthesis was observed in replacement intercropping under conditions of 100% water requirement and additive intercropping series under 80% water requirement, and the lowest rate of mung bean photosynthesis was observed in intercropping under conditions of 60 and 40% water requirement. Dehydration stress decreased the amount of total chlorophyll in mung beans and corn. The highest intercellular CO2 concentration (475.5 mmol of CO2.m-2.s-1) and the temperature of the corn leaf (36.7 °C) belonged to the 40% water requirement treatment. The rate of transpiration of corn and mung bean decreased by 55.56 and 61.43% in the condition of 40% water requirement compared to well-watered conditions. Water stress reduced the relative water content of corn and mung bean. The highest proline in corn and mung leaves (46.3 and 45.23 µmol.g-1.FW-1, respectively) was obtained in the treatment of 40% water requirement, which had no significant difference with 60% water requirement. Corn grain yield in the treatment of 40% water requirement showed a decrease of 52.76% compared to 100% water requirement. Monocultures (3945.8 kg.ha-1) and intercropping (3875.1 kg.ha-1) had the highest corn grain yield, and the lowest corn grain yield in replacement intercropping was 2700 kg ha-1. At all irrigation levels, the highest grain yield of mung bean was obtained in monocultures, and the yield decreased in additive and replacement intercropping, and additive intercropping had the lowest grain yield. The values of land equality ratio of all intercropping patterns were greater than one, which indicates the advantage of corn and mung bean intercropping patterns to use land and increase yield.

Considering the occurrence of recent droughts in arid and semi-arid regions of the country and the need for forage in these regions, the cultivation of forage plants, especially corn, is inevitable. Therefore, one of the appropriate strategies to protection in management and water consumption is the intercropping of this plant with plants of the legume such as mung bean. Intercropping can partially moderate the effects of drought stress on plant water conditions. In general, it seems that the patterns of intercropping and substitution, due to having higher grain yield potential, is a suitable strategy for producing higher yield and stability of this plant compared to monocultural under well-watered and stress water.

One of the environmentally friendly methods of weed control in cropping syastems is using of cover crops. Cover crops can reduce or control weeds through different mevhanisms such as physical suppression (suffocation of weeds), ecological suppression (competition for limited resources of nutrients, water, and light), and chemical suppression (emission of allelochemicals).

To investigate the effect of monoculture and intercropping of cover crops on weed control and grain yield and yield components of corn (Zea mays L. cv. Kousha), a randomized complete block design with four replications was used in the research farm of faculty of agriculture and natural resources of Mohaghegh Ardabili University in ardabil, Iran, in 2018-9 and 2019-20. The experimental treatments included: triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) and daikon radish (Raphanus sativus var. Longipinnatus) as monocultures, intercropping of triticale + daikon radish with a control treatment (without cover crops).

The results showed positive effect of triticale monoculture on reducing the density of lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album), pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) weeds by 36.7%, 50% and 53.8%, respectively. The highest grain yield (3782.5 kg.ha-1) and number of grain.ear-1 (444.8) of maize were obtained in triticale monoculture. The results showed that triticale monoculture had the most desirable weed control efficiency index (44.1), Simpson index (0.61), Shannon-Wiener index (1.33) and Margalef’s species richness index (1.21).

Based on the results of this experiment, the success of the intercropping of triticale and daikon radish on controlling weeds density and improving maize grain yield was related to suitable density of the plant species used in this experiment. Triticale monoculture, grown in winter, can be considered as an effective cover crop for weed control and improving maize grain yield in Ardabil and similar environmental conditions.

In conditions where don't have enough water for irrigation, intercropping of forage plants is one of the ways to achieve sustainable agriculture. Biochemical and physical properties of soil tillage system can affect the yield of plants in intercropping. Therefore, with the aim of investigating the forage yield and competitive indices of intercropping, this experiment was performed in the cropping seasons of 2020-2021. Treatments included conventional, minimum, and no tillage system. Intercropping patterns also included monoculture of forage sorghum and maize, alternate row cultivation maize and forage sorghum and alternate cultivation on planting rows. The results showed that the highest plant height (295 cm) and leaf area (6.88) was obtained in intercropping and conventional tillage. The highest forage yield was also observed in sorghum monoculture. However, the land equivalent ratio of mix intercropping with 1.17 showed the superiority of intercropping over monoculture. Evaluation of competitive indicators such as dominance index, relative crowding coefficient, and competitive ratio showed that forage maize is the predominant plant in intercropping conditions. The system productivity index with 8.11 showed that intermediate cultivation on planting rows was superior to other treatments in conventional tillage conditions. The results showed that in conventional tillage and intercropping conditions, acceptable yield was obtained; this advantage can increase water efficiency and use of sorghum in intercropping.

Agricultural ecosystems are a type of ecological systems where functions are organized in the direction of agricultural products and the characteristics of their production are determined based on the consumption of external inputs. In agricultural ecosystems, with monoculture of one cultivar and the excessive use of chemical inputs, crop yields are substantially increased. But the main challenge facing agriculture today is the environmental pollution caused by the use of chemicals and reduction of yield stability. Diversity in the selection of crop plant genotypes by farmers reduce production risk and annual yield fluctuations. Increasing genetic diversity through mixed cultivation of different cultivars or species with different morphological and physiological characteristics make possible use of the environment and resources. One of the ways to improve the quality and stability of wheat production is to increase the genetic diversity in the cultivation systems based on the mixed cultivation patterns. In Iran, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers in agricultural ecosystems, especially in wheat production systems, is a problem, and it seems that increasing the efficiency of using this input is a very effective way to deal with this problem. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of increasing genetic diversity through intercropping of wheat cultivars on the efficiency of nitrogen and water use.

In order to evaluate the effect of increasing the genetic diversity of mixed cultivation of wheat cultivars on improving the efficiency of resource use, an experiment was carried out in the form of completely randomized block design with 3 replications in the research farm of Agriculture Faculty of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in two crop years 2018-2019. Treatments included pure cultivation and double, triple and quadruple mixtures of four varieties of wheat, Heydari, Pishgam, Pishtaz and Falat, which were introduced in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, respectively, and were in the same maturity group. The amount of absorbed nitrogen, absorption efficiency (NUpE), conversion efficiency (NUtE), nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and water productivity. The data of the two-year test was compiled using Minitab software ver. 18.0 variance analysis was carried out and Excel software was used to draw graphs.

The results of the experiment showed that there was a significant differences in terms of water consumption efficiency, the amount of absorbed nitrogen, consumption efficiency and nitrogen absorption efficiency for pure and mixed cultivation of different wheat cultivars, but no significant difference observed for nitrogen conversion efficiency (p≤ 0.05). The highest amount of absorbed nitrogen, utilization efficiency, absorption efficiency and nitrogen conversion efficiency were observed for mixed cultivation of Pishtaz + Heydari cultivars (99.1 kg/ha, 34.5%, 69.3%, 49.8%), Pishtaz with Heydari and Falat (111.1 kg per hectare, 36.6%, 78.2%). While the highest water consumption efficiency was achieved for pure and mixed cultivars, respectively, Pishtaz (0.9 kg/m3 water), Pishtaz + Heydari (1.4 kg/m3 water), Pishtaz with Pishgam and Heidari (1.3 kg/m3 water). Water productivity showed a positive and significant correlation with absorption efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency (R2= 0.71, R2= 0.68). Thus, with the increase of nitrogen absorption and consumption efficiency, water consumption efficiency also increased, while no significant correlation was observed between water consumption efficiency and nitrogen conversion efficiency. According to the results of this research and the experiments result of other researchers, it can be said that through mixed cultivation and increasing the genetic diversity of wheat cultivars, the amount of absorption, the absorption efficiency and the efficiency of nitrogen consumption can be improved.

The results of this experiment showed that, by increasing genetic diversity through double and triple mixed cultivation of wheat cultivars, nitrogen efficiency and water consumption improved. In terms of water consumption efficiency, the amount of absorbed nitrogen, consumption efficiency and nitrogen absorption efficiency, there was a significant difference for the pure and mixed cultivation of different wheat cultivars, but no significant difference was observed for the nitrogen conversion efficiency. The highest amount of absorbed nitrogen, utilization efficiency, absorption efficiency and nitrogen conversion efficiency were belonged to the mixed cultivation of Pishtaz + Heidari cultivars, Pishtaz + Heidari + Falat. While the mixture of Pishtaz + Heidari, Pishtaz + Pishgam + Heidari had the highest water productivity.

In this experiment the effect of the foliar applications of proline, yeast extract, and urea on thegrowth, yield, and quality characteristics of active substance of hyssop was investigated. This study was done in a split plot experimentalin randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental field of Shahrekord University in 2017. The main plot was sole cropping of fenugreek, sole cropping of hyssop, and three intercropping ratios i.e. %50 fenugreek + %50 hyssop, %25 fenugreek + %75 hyssop, and %75fenugreek + %25 hyssop. The sub-plot was four levels foliar sprayings i.e. non-spraying or control and foliar sprayings of proline, yeast, and urea.The results showed that the intercropping and foliar sprayings of proline, yeast, and urea were significantly affected on some characteristics of hyssop such as plant height, number of lateral branches and the contents of chlorophyll a and b. The amount of land equivalent ratio (LER) in the intercropping was more than hyssop monoculture. In addition, LER under the foliar spraying of proline, yeast, and ureawas higher in comparison with non-foliar application.The pattern planting and foliar sprayings of proline, yeast, and urea had significant impacts on the proline content in the hyssop plants. Also, effect of monoculture of hyssop on essential oil content and yield of hyssop wassignificant; however, the foliar application of proline, yeast, and ureahad not influences on two these characteristics. In conclusion, the intercropping hyssop with legume (fenugreek) and the foliar sprayingsof proline, yeast, and urea can improve somegrowth parameters and active substance or the quantity and quality essential oilof hyssop.

In recent years, researchers have increasingly focused on maintaining the stability and fertility of agricultural production systems. One of the ways to increase stability is to create diversity through the use of multi-culture systems. In order to investigate the yield of Canola and Chickpeas in different cultivation ratios with different types and amounts of nitrogen fertilizer in Fasa region, an experiment was performed on 2018-2019 as factorial in complete randomized block design with three replications in the research farm of Dastjeh, Fasa region. Factors included the ratio of planting peas and canola in 5 levels: 0-100, 25-75, 50-50, 75-25 and 100-0, respectively, pea-canola and type and the amount of nitrogen fertilizers at 6 levels including urea 140 kg.ha-1 urea 120 kg ha-1, urea 100 kg ha-1, ammonium sulfate 140 kg.ha-1, ammonium sulfate 120 kg.ha-1, sulfate Ammonium 100 kg.ha1. The results showed that different planting ratios had a significant effect on canola and pea yield. Increasing the ratio of chickpeas in mixed with canola and rapeseed in mixed with chickpea cultivation significantly reduced their yield compared to their net cultivation. The highest yield of canola and chickpeas with 2240.1 kg.ha-1 and 2155.75 kg.ha-1 in net cultivation of canola and chickpeas and the lowest yield of rapeseed and chickpeas with the average of 1548.06 and 1187.3 kg.ha-1, respectively, were obtained in Planting ratios of 25-75 and 75-25 (canola-chickpeas). Comparing ammonium sulfate and urea to increase canola yield, the results showed that ammonium sulfate increased canola yield more than urea. The ratio of land equivalent ratio (LER) in all mixed planting ratios under different levels of nitrogen fertilizer increased compared to a single cropping (LER> 1).

Due to the increasing population and food shortage, increasing agricultural production is becoming more important, increasing the area under cultivation and increasing yield per unit area are two ways to increase agricultural production. Mixed cultivation is a low-income agricultural method that aims to make optimal use of land, light and water to produce a desirable level of crops.In order to investigate the effect of intercropping and different densities of quinoa and guar cultivation in the climatic conditions of Mashhad in May 2019 in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University located in Golbahar. This factorial study was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Factors tested included (Q: pure culture of quinoa, G: pure culture of guar and quinoa + guar in 1: 1, 1: 2 and 2: 1 row ratio) and plant density (D1: 10 plants, D2: 15 and D3: 20 plants per square meter). Plant density was adjusted by changing the distance between plants on the row. Row spacing treatments included: 20 cm equivalent to 10 plants per square meter, 15 cm, equivalent to 15 plants per square meter and 10 cm, equivalent to 20 plants per square meter.The results showed that the main and interaction effects of intercropping ratios and plant density on quinoa and guava seed yield and different indices of intercropping usefulness (land parity ratio (LER), actual reduction yield of guava (AYLG) and quinoa (AYLQ) Quinoa (RCCQ) and Guar (RCCG), Income Equality Ratio (IER) and Mixed Cultivation Profitability (IA) were significant at the level of 1% probability and the values for the mentioned traits were obtained. 1.21, 0.08, 0.83, 2.99, 1.17, 1.80 and 0.42. respectively So that the highest yield of quinoa and guar seeds with 1480 and 2655 g/m2, respectively, of quinoa and guar mixed cultivation treatments with ratios of 2 rows of quinoa and 1 row of guar at a density of 10 plants per square meter and for guar from culture treatment, respectively. Pure guar was obtained from the same plant density. The lowest yields of quinoa and guar seeds with an average of 115 and 269 g / m2 were obtained from the density of 20 plants per square meter and the ratio of mixed cultivation of two rows of quinoa and 1 guar gum, which is due to intra-species competition due to Increase plant density.The highest amount of quinoa LER and total was related to the treatment of two rows of quinoa and one row of guar gum at a density of 15 plants per square meter. For Guar gum, the LER level in all studied treatments was less than one. The total LER in 2G: 1Q treatment was less than one in all three densities, which indicates that increasing the share of guar in the composition, led to a decrease in total LER. This may be due to the very low yield of guar gum in 2G: 1Q treatment. In the other treatments studied, the LER level was higher than one, which indicates the usefulness of intercropping compared to pure culture. According to the results, the planting density of 10 plants per square meter was the best planting density and the ratio of mixed cultivation of 2 quinoa drives and a row of guar was the best treatment in this study, which can be recommended to farmers.

To investigate the effect of using nano-chelate zinc and iron ratios on yield and yield components of maize and cowpea seeds, a factorial experiment was conducted by using randomized completely block design with three replications in the south of Kerman, Iran, during 2018-2020. Experimental treatments consisted of five levels of mixed culture of corn and beans (100% beans, 75% beans + 25% corn, 50% beans + 50% corn, 25% beans + 75% corn, and 100% corn) and four levels of iron and zinc nanoclates combination (iron nanoclate, zinc nano-chelate, iron nano-chelate + nano-chelate zinc and control). Number of seeds per ear row, 1000-seed weight, seed yield and harvest index were measured. The results showed that the effect of planting ratios on number of seeds per ear, 1000-seed weight and harvest index were statistically significant at 1% and on grain yield at 5% level of probability while it was not significant on number of seeds per ear row and number of rows per ear. The highest number of seeds per ear (707.8), seed yield (12787 kg.ha-1) and 1000-seed weight of corn (253 g) were obtained from 25% bean + 75% corn crop ratio. The highest harvest index (52%) was obtained from pure culture. Simultaneous application of nano-chelate iron and zinc increased the quantitative and qualitative properties of corn. Intercopping of 25% cowpea + 75% corn with nano-chelate application produced the highest proein percent (22.3 %). The highest value of land equality ratio (total) (2.12) was obtained by using a mixed cultivation treatment of 75% bean + 25% corn and the lowest (1.57) by 25% of beans were +75% of corn and zinc combinations. Finally, the highest grain yield of 12,993 kg.ha-1 was obtained from a intercropping of 75% corn + 25% bean and application of iron and zinc.

To investigate the effect of biological fertilizers and vermicompost, on vetch and coriander in different intercropping mixtures (medicinal forage), an experiment was conducted in split plot based on RCBD design with 3 replications. The experiment was conducted in Research Farm of College of Agriculture, University of Tehran in Karaj, Iran during growing season of 1389-1390   The main factor comprised of 4 levels of fertilizer application viz. control (no fertilizer application), vermicompost, biological fertilizer and biological fertilizer + 50% vermicompost.  The sub plots were allocated to 7 levels of different mixtures of intercropping of vetch and coriander including: sole cropping of vetch (weed infested) (Vw), sole cropping of vetch (weed free) (V0), sole cropping of coriander (weed infested) (Cw), sole cropping of coriander (weed free) (C0), intercropping of vetch + 50% coriander (VC50), intercropping of vetch + 75% coriander (VC75), and intercropping of vetch + 100% coriander (VC100).  The measured parameters  was weed biomass.  The results indicated that vemicompost across all levels of intercropping had significant effect on decrease weed biomass.  Also the lowest weed biomass was achieved in (VC75) and (VC100) intercroppings.  According to the results of this experiment, to decrease the consumption in herbicides and increase the level of health application of intercropping and natural fertilizers could be recommended.

High quality standards in vegetables is one of the most important expectation of consumers presence of weeds would also reduce the quantity and quality of crops produced. Use of cover crops could be an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical and mechanical methods. To this end for controlling weeds, a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block was conducted at the Research Farm of Mohaghegh Ardabili University with three replications in 2017. Experimental treatments were the first factor, consisting of mono culture and intercropping of rye (Secale cereal L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) and control treatment (no cover crop) and the second factor consisting of one time hand weeding and two times weeding, with 15 days intervals, and without hand weeding, as control. The results showed that the highest dry biomass of cover crops obtained from rye mono culture (530.59 g.m-2) and the lowest biomass (47.85 g.m-2) from hairy vetch mono culture. The highest reduction of total weed biomass (83.24%) obtained from rye with hairy vetch without hand weeding. The highest yield of iceberg lettuce was obtained from hairy vetch mono culture with one-time hand weeding or from without hand weeding treatment (5025 and 4965 g.m-2, respectively). Also, the highest plant height, number of leaves and diameter of lettuce stem was not statistically significant difference from mono culture and intercropping of cover crops. The results showed that the combination of hand weeding and cover crop residues were more effective in controlling and reducing weed biomass, but the presence of cover crop residues in the shortron also increased the yield of iceberg lettuce through weed control.

A mixed cropping system is an agronomic method in which different species/cultivars are sown in a unique farm in order to gain diversity in the agri-ecosystem, efficient control of pests and diseases as well increase in the yield quantity or quality. This study was conducted to determine the best cultivation pattern of vetch (Vicia dasycarpa L) mixed with triticale (X Triticosecale wittmack) under different farming systems during 2018 at Dryland Agricultural Research Institute (DARI), Iran. The experimental was laid in RCDB with different levels of sole or mixed cropping the plants in three replications with two chemical and biological fertilizing systems. Treatments were at 8 levels including sole cropping of vetch and triticale and intercropping ratios of vetch: triticale 50:50(IP1), 75:25 (IP2), 25:75 (IP3), 20:100 (IP4), 40:100 (IP5) and 60:100 (IP6). The results showed that the yield of IP1 treatment was the highest compared with the other ratios under both fertilizing systems. Increasing the proportion of vetch in mixture intercrops improved forage quality and among mixed treatments, two mixing patterns including 50%v+ 50%t and 75%v + 25%t had the highest quantity and quality of the forage. Therefore, it can be concluded that the mixing of vetch with triticale at 50%v: 50%t ratio could be regarded as one of the most efficient and sustainable cropping systems. Furthermore, the study showed organic application had a high effect on the quality and quantity of forage production and has the potential to improve performance with high land-use efficiency in cold-dryland area condition of Iran.

Weed suppression and increased production are objectives of intercropping systems. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of mixed culture on weed suppression, yield and its components of sesame and cowpea. The experiment was arranged in a split plot based on a randomized complete block design with four replications at the research farm of Agriculture and Natural Resources Campus, University of Tehran, during 2019. The main plots included pure sesame culture, pure cowpea culture, 50% sesame: 50% cowpea, 65% sesame: 65% cowpea and 80% sesame: 80% cowpea and sub plots included weed control and no weed control treatments. Results showed that pure sesame culture had the highest weed density and dry weight and there was no significant difference in weed density and dry weight between mixed and pure cowpea cultivars. In the most studied traits, there was a significant difference between weed control and no weed control treatments. Land equivalent ratio (LER) was higher than one in all treatments and was higher in without weeding rather than weeding treatments. The intercropping of 50% sesame: 50% cowpea had the highest LER, in terms of weed control and non-control (1.15 and 1.72, respectively). In general, it is concluded that sesame and cowpea mixture increased the land use efficiency while avoiding weeds, especially compared to pure sesame cultivation.

Intercropping is an valuable cultivation system in all of the world due to the better use of resources and increase the quantitative and qualitative yield of plants. It also can be considered as one of the approaches to improve yield and stability in production. Recently, medicinal plants intercropped by legumes has been noticed. In order to evaluate faba bean and fennel intercropping advantage under row-replacement and additive series, an experiment was conducted in 2019.

This experiment was carried out at the research farm of the Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments including 6:0, 4:2, 3:3, 2:4, and 0:6 of faba bean: fennel rows under replacement series and 6:3, 6:2, 2:6, and 3:6 of faba bean: fennel rows under additive series. After reaching a constant weight of fennel fruits, yiel and its components (number of umbels and umbellets and fruits per umbellet, 1000-seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, and harvest index) were measured in fennel plants. The essential oil content in fennel fruits was also measured using a Clevenger apparatus. Faba bean biomass was measured after harvesting plants in the flowering growth stage. Finally, the relative crowding coefficient, land equivalent ratio, actual yield loss or gain and intercropping advantage of faba bean: fennel mixed cultivation were calculated in the row-replacement and additive series.

The results showed that intercropping of faba bean and fennel had a significant effect on all studied traits. The highest number of umbels per plant was obtained from sole cropping (12.10). Also, the highest number of umbellets/umbel was related to intercropping of two rows of faba bean: four rows of fennel and three rows of faba bean: three rows of fennel by 22.05 and 19.62, respectively. The highest 1000-seed weight was obtained from sole cropping of fennel (5.62 g) and replacement intercroppings, especially from two rows of faba bean: four rows of fennel (5.56 g). The highest biological yield (1503.47 kg/ha) and seed yield (617.73 kg/ha) were obtained from the sole cropping of fennel. The maximum harvest index was related to the intercropping of three rows of faba bean: three rows of fennel, which shows that such a mixture ratio leads to the highest seed yield rather than biological yield produced. The highest fennel essential oil content was obtained from additive series. The highest faba bean biomass was found in the sole cropping (1933.02 kg/ha) and the lowest in treatments in which two rows of faba bean has been planted. Two rows of faba bean + six rows of fennel had the highest (3.96) relative crowding coefficient. The land equivalent ratio in all row-replacement and additive series was more than one or close to one, which indicates the usefulness of faba bean and fennel intercropping. The highest actual yield (0.07) and intercropping advantage indexes (0.17) were related to three rows of faba bean + three rows of fennel. Also, the lowest actual yield was related to additive series, especially treatments in which fennel had a higher mixture ratio than faba bean.

Based on the results obtained in this study, environmental resources including light, water, and nutrients have been used optimally in the three faba bean rows + three fennel rows and there was no effective competition to achieve them in this row-replacement series. In other words, ecological niche separation in this intercropping system has been done favorably, and subsequently the actual yield index increased. Therefore, the mixture ratio by 50:50 in the row-replacement series is recommended to achieve the highest benefit in semi-arid conditions where this experiment was conducted.

In order to evaluate the effect of planting density and application of reduced herbicide doses in optimizing weed control and management in intercropping of red bean cultivars, an experiment was conducted in 2016 at the University of Tehran Research Farm using reduced doses of Imaztapir herbicide at five levels (0, 25, 50, 75). And 100% of the recommended dose of herbicide with manual weeding (as the main plot and different bean planting densities (40, 50 and 60 plants per square meter) as a sub-plot and pure and mixed cultivation system of standing and climbing cultivar was performed as a sub-plot. The results showed that the interaction effects of herbicide application on cultivation system and herbicide application on planting density, dry weight and bean yield were significant and also with increasing herbicide dose and plant density bean dry weight and bean seed yield increased and weed dry weight and Weed density decreased. At low herbicide doses, the use of a mixed culture system was more involved in reducing weed density and increasing bean biomass than increasing density; However, in high doses of herbicides, the role of increasing density was superior to intercropping, so to preserve the environment and reduce the economic costs of spraying, reduced doses of herbicides can be used to reduce biomass and weed density, which reduces its competitiveness with the crop. Density and mixed culture system used.

Today, intercropping as a key strategy of sustainable agriculture, is appreciated by both researchers and farmers in increasing efficiency of environmental resourceing uses, reduce damages due to environmental stresses, and improve the farm income. To this end, a split plot experiment based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replications was conducted at the Research Farm of Gonabad University.Main factor, comprised of  25% safflower + 75% chickpea, 50% safflower + 50% chickpea, 75% safflower + 25% chickpea, and 100% safflower + 100% chickpea intercropping patterns, and sole cropping of the two plants. Subfactors consisted of control (without foliar spray) and foliar spraying of 3 g.lit-1 Fe and Zn. The research results showed that the highest values of branches number (10.5) and head number per plant (22.5) of safflower were achieved from 25% safflower + 75% chickpea and 50% safflower + 50% chickpea intercropping, respectively and the highest seed yield (2070 kg.ha-1) from sole cropping. The branch and head number per plant, 1000-seed weight, and seed yield of safflower were increased significantly due to micronutrient foliar application as compared with control. The plant height (26.4 cm) and seed yield (1739 kg.ha-1) of chickpea showed the highest value in sole cropping while the highest values of pod number per plant (31.9) and seed number per plant (22.2) were obtained from 25% safflower + 75% chickpea intercropping. Micronutrients foliar application improved plant height, pod number per plant, pod length, and seed number per plant of chickpea. The land equivalent ratio values ranged from 1.12 to 1.52. The changes in water use efficiency indices were also higher in all intercropping patterns compared with sole cropping, and the highest value (1.31) was achieved from 75% safflower + 25% chickpea intercropping treatment. The aggressivity index indicated the dominance of safflower over chickpea. All of the intercropping treatments, except for 100% safflower + 100% chickpea pattern, showed real yield increase. The highest value of intercropping advantage (0.51) was obtained from 25% safflower + 75% chickpea treatment while the monetary advantage index (26454751) and the relative total value (1.44) were higher in 100% safflower + 100% chickpea intercropping as compared to the other cropping patterns.

In order to investigate the effect of additive series intercropping of legume and cereal (the line of 2561 of broad leaf vetch and Abidar cultivar of barley) on species diversity ecological indices and weeds dominance, a field experiment was conducted in 4 × 5 factorial with three replications in the dry land conditions in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lorestan in the cropping years of 2015-17. The intercropping treatments reduced numbers and total dry weight of weeds ratio in sole cropping. The best treatments in first and second year for weeds control were once-weeding and seed ratios 70:100 and 100:100 (vetch: barley) and double-weeding×70:100. The three factor interactions (year, weed and intercropping) represent the contribution of 40:100 and 70:100 with once-weeding in weed dry weight losses (17.98 and 17.16 in the first and second years, respectively). In the second year, this interaction also resulted to the lowest weed dry weights (20.82 and 20 g/m-2). The lowest species richness was belonged to once and double weeding and non-weeding treatments with 100:100 seed ratio, respectively. Also, mentioned treatments indicated the weeds were more dominance in the first year compared to the second year.

In order to study the competition ability and production potential of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graecum) intercropping under nitrogen fertilizer in barley flowering stage a field experiment was conducted in experimental farm of Agricultural Faculty of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz at 2015-2016 growing season. Experimental design was randomized complete block as a factorial arrangement with three replications. The first factor was 8 planting patterns includes barley sole cropping, fenugreek sole cropping, fenugreek-barley intercropping ratios includes 2:1, 2:2, 3:1, 1:3, as replacement series, 100% barley+20% fenugreek as additive series and mixed intercropping. The second factor was two nitrogen fertilizer application includes control (no nitrogen fertilizer) and 40 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer. The results of showed the highest total dry matter at barley flowering stage (1345.1 gr/m2) was obtained at 3:1 barley-fenugreek intercropping and the lowest one (482.6 gr/m2) was recorded at fenugreek sole cropping without nitrogen fertilizer. Also the results revealed that all intercropping treatments had the highest dry matter than sole cropping that it showed the intercropping had superiority than sole cropping. The highest Land Equivalent Ratio (LER=1.5) was obtained at 3:1 barley-fenugreek intercropping. So that it is concluded that at barley flowering stage the best treatment was 3:1barley-fenugreek intercropping with 40 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer.

The practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field is called intercropping and it is a common feature in traditional farming of small landholders. It provides farmers with a variety of returns from land and labour, often increases the efficiency with which scarce resources are used and reduces the failure risk of a single crop that is susceptible to environmental and economic fluctuation. This approach is increasing agricultural production per unit area by growing more than one crop in a year. Intercropping will be successful when competition for sources is less than competition within a species. Plants in the mixture can be chosen in a way that a species benefits from environmental changes caused by other species in mixed cultures directly. Intercropping inhibits the growth and development of weeds and leads to increased production. Since the system will reduce the pesticide use, environmental pollution will be also less proportionally. According to studying the intercropping of peas and lettuce in Gonbad Kavous despite the lack of need for the plant to irrigate and harvest earlier and unloading earlier land for cultivation next, objectives of the present study were to study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and planting ratios mixture two plants on the performance of the plant, LER and some qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the pea.

 In order to study the effect of nitrogen rates and planting patterns of pea and lettuce on quality and quantity of green pea seeds, a factorial layout based on a Randomized Complete Block Design was conducted with three replications at Gonbad Kavous University during 2014-2015 growing season. The treatments of planting pattern were included 9 levels of sole pea, 67% pea + 33% lettuce, 50% pea + 50% lettuce, 33% pea + 67% lettuce, 100% pea + 33% lettuce, 100% pea + 50 % lettuce, 100% pea + 67% lettuce, 100% pea + 100% lettuce and sole lettuce and nitrogen factor was included three levels of non-application and application of 25 and 50 kg N/ha. Row spacing was 30cm. Density of pea was 33.3 plants/m2 and lettuce was 16.7/m2. For analysis variance of data software of SAS Ver.9.1.3 were used and treatment mean differences were separated by the least significant difference (LSD) test at the 0.05 probability level.

The results showed that planting patterns and nitrogen rates had significant effect on plant eight, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, number of seeds per plant, 100-seed weight, seed weight per plant, pods weight per plant, protein percent, solution carbohydrate percent and total yield. Plant eight in additive intercropping was more than replacement intercropping but number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, number of seeds per plant, 100-seed weight, seed weight per plant and pods weight per plant in replacement treatments and sole cropping of pea was more than additive treatments. Protein percent in sole cropping of pea and replacement intercropping of 67% lettuce instead of pea was greater than other treatments. At least percent of protein obtained from additive intercropping and replacement intercropping of 50 and 67% lettuce instead of pea. Solution carbohydrate percent in replacement intercropping of 67% lettuce instead of pea and additive intercropping of 100% pea + 67% lettuce and additive intercropping of 100% pea + 100% lettuce was more than other treatments. However, plant yield
lettuce and 33% pea and 50% lettuce and 50% pea with 30.25 and 27.44 respectively, was greater than other treatments. Land equivalent ratio in intercropping treatments was greater than sole cropping. The maximum land equivalent ratio with 1.48 belonged to additive intercropping of 100% pea + 100% lettuce. Therefore, intercropping of pea and lettuce especially in additive series was appropriate.

 Of the two plants of pea and lettuce, lettuce plant produced more yield than pea plant in all treatments. Additive treatment of 100% lettuce to pea and lettuce sole crop with 61565 and 61473 kg/ha produced the maximum yield and pea sole crop with 11759 kg/ha produced the minimum total yield. With increasing of nitrogen fertilizer consumption, yield was increased. Protein percent in sole cropping of pea and replacement intercropping of 67% lettuce instead of pea was greater than other treatments.of pea in treatment of 67%

Pulses are a group of crops which are important in human nutrition and also sustainability of agronomical systems and economic advantage. Regarding optimum planting density of mung beans (40 plant m-2), more than 700 tons of certified seeds of mung bean seeds are needed all over the country, confirming the importance of the production of high quality seeds. Seed quality may be affected by different environmental conditions such as water deficit. Since intercropping can alleviate the negative effects of drought on crop growth, the hypothesis that crops can benefit from intercropping has been formulated in previous studies. Since there is no sufficient information on germination performance and seed weight of mung bean during seed growth and development in response to partial root zone irrigation and intercropping, the current experiment was aimed to evaluate the effect of partial root zone irrigation and intercropping on some quality traits of mung bean and to determine the best time of harvesting to produce high quality seeds in mung bean.

The experiment was conducted as factorial (3× 2× 5) based on RCBD with three replications. The first factor was planting pattern (including sole mung bean, inter-row maize-mung bean intercropping and within-row maize-mung bean intercropping). The second factor was irrigation method (partial root zone irrigation and conventional irrigation) and the third factor was harvest time (5-day intervals in 5 stages). Germination percentage, 1000-grain weight, root length, shoot length and seedling dry weight were determined for evaluation of seed quality.

The results indicated that the interaction of cropping pattern× harvest time and cropping pattern× irrigation× harvest time had no significant effect on traits. However, the interaction of irrigation× harvest time on germination percentage, root length and seedling dry weight was significant (P≤0.01). With increasing growth and maturation of seed, germination percentage increased in both irrigation methods. Germination percentage of mung bean was reduced by partial root zone irrigation. The effect of partial root zone irrigation on germination percentage was higher at the end of seed filling period. Partial root zone irrigation resulted in the reduction of root length. The differences between conventional and partial root zone irrigation for root length at different harvest times were 4, 9, 9, 18 and 15 percent, respectively. In both irrigation methods (i.e., conventional and partial root zone irrigation) seedling dry weight increased with increasing the seed growth and maturation. However, deficit of irrigation had negative effects on seedling dry weight of mung bean. With reduced water availability, 1000-grain weight and shoot length were also reduced. 1000-grain and shoot length of mung bean in conventional irrigation were 11 and 10 percent higher than those of partial root zone irrigation, respectively.

Intercropping had no significant effect on seed quality of mung bean. However, deficit of irrigation reduced its seed quality. For harvesting high quality seeds in mung bean, there is a need for plants that experience no drought stress. That the time of reaching the maximum seed quality coincided with the ending of the seed filling period confirms the Harington’s hypothesis.

Seed quality of mung bean during seed growth and development was evaluated. Effect of deficient irrigation induced by partial root zone irrigation on seed quality of mung bean was determined. The effect of planting pattern of mother plants on seed quality was investigated.

To compare the replacement intercropping patterns of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) at different levels of vermicompost, a field experiment was conducted as factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications at the research field of the Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Iran, in growing season of 2018. Experimental treatments included six planting ratios: sole cropping of fennel and faba bean, one row of fennel + one row of faba bean, two rows fennel + two rows faba bean, three rows faba bean + two rows fennel, four rows faba bean + two rows fennel, and two levels of vermicompost: 0 and 10 t.ha-1. The results showed that the highest seed yield (2568.33 kg.ha-1) of fennel was obtained in the sole cropping and the lowest seed yield (1396.67 kg.ha-1) was belonged to the one row of fennel + one row of faba bean, respectively. Essential oil and oil content (%) of fennel were higher in all intercropping system than in sole cropping. Application of vermicompost could increase seed yield, essential oil content, essential oil yield, oil conten (%) and fennel oil yield by 20.48%, 14.52%, 32.72%, 11.12% and 29.37,  in comparison with control (no application of vermicompost), respectively. The highest amount of E-anethole of essential oil (79.9%) and oleic fatty acid (83.1%) of fennel were obtained from three rows of faba bean + two rows of fennel with vermicompost consumption. The highest land equivalent ratio (1.42) was obtained in the  three rows faba bean + two rows fennel intercropping system fertilized with vermicompost, indicating that intercropping improved land use efficiency by 42%, when compared to sole cropping. This cropping system was identified more suitable for increasing land use efficiency particularly in the medicinal plants production systems.