Journal of Crop Production and Processing

Extended Abstract
Introduction: Intercropping is a vital strategy in sustainable agriculture; it enhances production sustainability by improving both the yield and quality of crop plants. This strategy increases biodiversity and capitalizes on the interactions among different plant species, including their morphological and ecophysiological differences. Such diversity can lead to more efficient use of resources, reduced production costs, and ultimately, an increase in net farm income. The integration of legumes in intercropping systems is particularly beneficial, as these species have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching the soil and supporting the growth of neighboring plants from a different crop species like dill (Anethum graveolens L.). This study aims to identify the optimal mixed treatment combinations for dill, focusing on both grain yield and essential oil yield in intercropping versus monoculture systems. By systematically evaluating various intercropping treatments, the research seeks to uncover the most effective plant combinations that enhance the performance of dill as an edible vegetable. The findings will not only contribute to the understanding of sustainable agricultural practices but provide also practical recommendations for farmers, promoting the adoption of intercropping systems that can lead to improved ecological benefits and economic viability in farming.
Materials and Methods: In order to achieve the most appropriate planting combination in terms of spatial arrangement and to investigate its effects on yield, yield components, as well as the percentage and efficiency of essential oil, an experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with seven treatments and three replications at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabbriz, northwest Iran. The different cultivation patterns included a pure stand and six mixed cultivation patterns of the two plants, comprising three additive ratio patterns (1:20, 1:40, and 1:60) and three replacement ratio patterns (1:1, 1:2, and 1:3).
Results and Discussion: The results of the study revealed that dill plants cultivated in various mixed cropping patterns exhibited remarkable performance, particularly in the 1:20 and 1:60 planting ratios. These specific intercropping arrangements resulted in the highest inflorescences/plant, indicating a strong reproductive capacity that is essential for maximizing seed production. Additionally, these ratios also led to an increased grains/plant, which is a critical factor for final grain yield. The biological yield, which encompasses the total biomass produced, was also significantly enhanced in these mixed cropping patterns, suggesting that the synergistic interactions between the crops in these ratios contributed positively to growth and productivity. Moreover, the study found that the percentage and yield of essential oil were significantly influenced by the different mixed cropping patterns. The 1:20 and 1:60 ratios not only yielded the highest essential oil content but consistently performed well also across all three stages of oil extraction: flowering, milky, and maturity. This finding underscores the importance of selecting appropriate intercropping ratios to optimize essential oil production. Among the three stages of oil extraction, the milky stage emerged as the most productive, yielding the highest essential oil quantity. This stage is characterized by the plant’s investment in the grain constituents, which likely enhances the biosynthesis of essential oil compounds. These insights suggest that schedueling the harvest to coincide with the milky stage can significantly benefit essential oil yield, providing valuable information for farmers aiming to maximize both grain and oil production in dill cultivation. Taken to gether, the findings highlight the advantages of utilizing specific mixed cropping patterns, particularly the 1:20 and 1:60 ratios, to enhance the agronomic and economic viability of dill as an edible and aromatic crop. This research not only contributes to the understanding of intercropping benefits but offers also practical recommendations for farmers seeking to improve their production practices through sustainable agricultural methods.
Conclusions:Our findings suggest that intercropping can significantly enhance dry matter accumulation and improve the overall quality of dill products. This strategy can result in a more efficient use of land and resources, ultimately contributing to higher yields compared to monoculture systems. The specific observation that the 1:1 treatment and sole cropping demonstrated favorable performance in dry matter accumulation indicates that there is a potential for both mixed and single cropping systems to be effective. The 1:1 ratio suggests a balanced competition between the two species, allowing them to complement each other’s growth requirements. In this scenario, both dill and fenugreek can benefit from shared resources while minimizing competition, leading to enhanced growth and productivity.