Evaluation of basil (Ocimum basiilicum L.) and sesame (sesamum indicum L.) yield in different intercropping mixtures via competition indices

In order to study the possibility of intercropping of basil and sesame, an experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University during growing season of 2009-2010. Treatments consisted of different planting ratio, P1: sole cropping of basil, P2: 75% basil+ 25% sesame, P3: 50% basil+ 50 % sesame, P4: 25% basil+ 75% sesame and P5: sole cropping of sesame. In this experiment, the 50 % basil+ 50 % sesame and 25% basil+ 75% sesame had the highest intercropping yield (1141.80 and 1098.75 kg.ha-1, respectively) and land equivalent ratio (LER=1.29 and 1.33, respectively). Also, 50 % basil+ 50 % sesame mixture was recorded the highest crowding coefficient (Kbasil = 1.49), aggressively value (A basil = -0.19) and nearly 20% yield increases of basil in mix-proportion compared to sole crop. Furthermore, the most of sesame aggressively value (Asesame=0.85) and 97% sesame yield increases were observed in 25% basil+ 75% sesame mixture compared to sole crop. In conclusion, according to high competition efficacy of sesame plant in mix-cropping the 50% basil+ 50 % sesame and 75% basil+ 25% sesame culture ratio produced the highest yield.