The Effect of Some Forage and Medicinal Plants as Companion Crops on Yield and Yield Components of Maize

In order to evaluate the effects of some forage and medicinal plants on yield and yield components of maize var. to single cross 504, an experiment was carried out in 2011 in Research Farm of faculty of agriculture at university Tabriz, in a factorial arrangement with the base of randomized complete block design in three replicates. Factors including different type of forage and medicinal plants in 4 levels (Red clover, hairy vetch, basil and dill) and sowing dates of the forage plant with 2 levels, simultaneous with maize and 15 days after maize sowing. The results showed that the weeding treatment had the highest yeild (5716.01 kg/ha) and yeild component. The results showed that sowing of maize and clover at the simultaun cultivation had the highest effect on corn yield and yield components. Sowing time had significant effect on corn yield and yield components, The simulation cultivation, sowing of forage and medicinal plants with corn than the 15-day delay due to better control of weeds in the early stages of growth had significant effect on performance. Altought, in comparsion with conventional forage plants (clover and hairy vetch), basil and dill were less effective, but increased the corn yield about %40, and %36, respectively. It seems that further study was needed for using the medicinal plants as companion crop.