Effect of Symbiosis with Mychorrizal Fungus (Funneliformis mosseae) on Yield and Yield Component of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) and Chickpea (Cicer arietnium L.) in Intercropping

Intercropping systems and the application of biofertilizers play an important role in increasing of quantity and quality of plant products. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae application and different planting patterns on the yield and yield component of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) in intercropping with chick pea (Cicer arietnium L.).  

A field experiment was carried out as factorial based on randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with 10 treatments and three replications at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh during 2018 growing season. The first factor was consisted of different planting patterns including monoculture of chickpea, monoculture of black cumin, 1 row intercropping of chickpea + 1 black cumin (1:1), 1 row chickpea+ 2 row black cumin (1:2) and 2 row chickpea+ 1 row black cumin (2:1) and the second factor was inoculation and non-inoculation with mychorrizal fungus.  

The results demonstrated that the seed yield of chickpea and black cumin was significantly affected by different planting patterns and mychorrizal fungus. The highest seed yield of chickpea (1203.5 kg.ha-1) was observed in the chickpea monoculture that was no significantly different with planting pattern of 2:1. Also, the highest seed yield of black cumin (823.3 kg.ha-1) was achieved in its monoculture. Application of mychorrizal fungus increased the seed yield of chickpea and black cumin by 24.62 and 18.59% in compared with non-application. In addition, the highest essential oil percentage (1.06) and essential oil yield (7.326 g.m-2) were achieved in the 1 row chickpea+ 2 row black cumin intercropping pattern. In all intercropping patterns, the LER was higher than one, indicating the advantages of these patterns compared with monocultures. The highest LER (1.56) was obtained in the planting pattern of 1:2 with application of mychorrizal fungus. Also, in all intercropping patterns, the aggressivity values of chickpea was higher than black cumin, representing that the chickpea was the dominant in these intercropping patterns. Moreover, the highest ecological indices (AHER, ATER and LUE) and monetary indices (IA, MAI, RVT and SPI) were achieved in the ratios of 1:2 and 2:1 with application of mychorrizal fungus.  

Generally, the planting pattern of 1 row chickpea+ 2 row black cumin (1:2) with application of mychorrizal fungus not only leading to agricultural ecosystems diversity and sustainable productivity, but also effective in enhancing economic income and land use efficiency.