Comparison of quantitative and qualitative traits of safflower and chickpea in replacement and additive intercropping systems

In order to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative traits of safflower and chickpea in additive and replacement intercropping series, an experiment was conducted as randomized complete blocks design with 11 treatments and 3 replications at research field of Kurdistan University during 2015-2016 growing season. Experimental treatments included sole cropping of safflower, sole cropping of chickpea, replacement series consisted of 4:4, 2:2, 1:1, 3:1, 1:3 and additive series consisted of 20% and 40% chickpea (in two situations: I, between and II, around of safflower rows). Results showed that the highest and lowest seed, biological and oil yields of safflower obtained from 40% I and 4:4 intercropping patterns, respectively. The highest seed and biological yields of chickpea obtained from its sole cropping, but the minimum number and weight of chickpea root nodules were achieved from this treatment. The highest value of LER obtained from 40% I additive series. It seems that the mentioned treatment improved yield and quality of safflower; therefore choosing the suitable cropping pattern has positive effect on quantitative and qualitative yield of plants.