Effect of Replacement Intercropping Combinations on the Yield of Three Medicinal Plants of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.), Borage (Borago officinalis L.), and Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.)

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction[1]
Medicinal plants play major roles in human health services worldwide. Many people in both developing and developed countries are turning to herbal medicine. Iran has a long medical tradition and a traditional learning of plant remedies. Besides serving medical and cultural functions, medicinal plants have also played an important economic role across the country. The planting area of medicinal plants is about 166,527 ha, which is nearly 1% of the total planting area in Iran. Marigold (Calendula officinalis) is a medicinal plant of the Asteraceae family. It is popular for the verdant color and an aromatic perfume which is provided by this plant. It grows in sun or partial gloominess and is effortless to grow, requiring little cultivation.Borage is from the Boraginaceae family and has the proper name of Borago officinalis. Borage is also known as the Bee plant and Bee Bread because the blue, purplish, star-shaped flower attracts bees all summer long. Throughout history, Borage has been used to treat a multitude of ailments and to improve overall health. The Romans would mix Borage tea and wine prior to combat, most likely to fortify themselves for the battle. The leaves are robust and have medicinal properties, and the topper of the plant is a striking blue star-shaped flower, hence the name. The flowers are edible as well and are often used for cake decorations or sweet syrups. Black cumin (Nigella sativa) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. It has been used as a herbal medicine for more than 2000 years. It is also used as a food additive and flavor in many countries. Black cumin volatile oil has recently been found to contain 67 constituents, many of which have the potential to induce beneficial pharmacological effects in humans. Intercropping involves the integration of various elements of organism interactions in ecosystems and can be categorized as a pro-ecological approach to plant cultivation. This method aims to minimize harmful human interference in the environment, particularly the use of chemicals. Additionally, intercropping enables the attainment of high yields, superior quality, and enhanced economic productivity. The relationship between the intercropped components has garnered significant interest among researchers, particularly in terms of environmental resource management and its impact on productivity and economic indicators.
Therefore, the objective of the present study was to quantitatively determine the yield of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), borage (Borago officinalis L.), and marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) in replacement intercropping.
 
Materials and Methods
An experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in the growth year of 2013-14. Treatments included 50:50 ratio of black cumin-marigold, black cumin-borage, and marigold-borage, and 33:33:33 ratio of black cumin-marigold-borage and monoculture of each of the three species. Economic and biological yield, harvest index, and yield components of three plants and LER were studied. For statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference test (LSD), Minitab 16.0 was used.
 
Results and Discussion
The results showed that, except for HI, applied treatments have a significant effect on the number of branches per plant, number of  folliclesper plant, number of seeds per  follicles, the percentage of hollow  follicles, grain weight, and partial LER of black cumin has been affected by intercropping. Treatments also affected the number of flowers per plant, biological yield, flower yield, and flower harvest index of marigold, and they also had a significant effect on the number of flowers per plant, number of sub-branches, biological and flower yield of borage, but HI was not affected by the treatments. The highest biological and economic yield of the three plants was observed in monoculture of the studied plants, but theirs partial LER increased in all of the intercropping treatments. It could mean the improvement in land use efficiency and other economic resources for more production of biomass of the plants. According to these results, the highest total LER based on biological and economical yield, 1.3 and 1.41, were gained in triple intercropping treatment, respectively. Therefore, it seems that triple intercropping of black cumin-marigold-borage in the ratio of 33:33:33 can be beneficial in terms of ecological management.
Conclusions
Intercropping is an effective strategy for optimal use of available environmental factors for plants and can be very useful, especially in times of land limitation. The results of this experiment clearly showed the synergistic effects of intercropping species on each other. According to the findings of this experiment, in general, intercropping of three medicinal plant species has been able to improve the growth conditions, increase the efficiency of these plants in using land and other available resources, and increase the production of these plants, while ensuring the sustainability of production in these plants. Therefore, according to the results of this study, it seems that in order to maximize the biological and economic performance of black seed, European borage, and perennial ryegrass, along with benefiting from the health of the produced product and sustainability in the production of these species, it is recommended to consider the triple intercropping of black seed, European borage, and perennial ryegrass.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the Honorable Vice Chancellor of Research and Technology of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad for providing the costs of this research.







 




 

Keywords

©2023 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source.

References

  1. Abbasi Ali Kamar, R., Hejazi, A., Akbari, G., Kafi, M., & Zand, E. (2006). Evaluation of the effect of different swing plant density in intercropping of cumin and chikpea by emphasis on weed control. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 4(1), 83-94. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/GSC.V4I1.1320
  2. Allahdadi, M., Shakiba, M.R., Dabbagh Mohammadi Nasab, A., & Amini, R. (2013). Evaluation of yield and advantages of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill.) and calendula (Calendula officinalis) intercropping systems. Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production, 23(3), 47-58. (In Persian with English abstract). https://civilica.com/doc/1618873
  3. Ameri, A.A., Rabbani Nasab, H., Jalilvand, M.R., & Imani, M. (2012). The survey on phenological stages, the effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels and plant density and stage of flower harvest on flower production, active ingredients of marigold (Calendula officinalis). Journal of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, 4, 57-66. 10.29252/jnkums.4.5.S5.57 (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.29252/jnkums.4.5.S5.57
  4. Awal, M.A., Koshi, H., & Ikeda, T. (2006). Radiation interception and use by maize/peanut intercrop canopy. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 139, 74–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2006.06.001
  5. Ayeneband, A. (2007). Ecology of Agroecosystems. Chamran University Press, Ahvaz, Iran. p. 276-279, (In Persian)
  6. Ayeneband, A. (2007). Ecology of Agroecosystems. Shahid Chamran University Publications., Ahvaz. p. 198-202. (In Persian)
  7. Bagheri, M., Zafarian, F., Akbarpoor, V., Asadi, G.A., & Bichranloo, B. (2012). Evaluation of soybean basil and borage growth indexes in different intercropping ratios. Plant Production Research, 19(3), 1-25. 1001.1.23222050.1391.19.3.1.1 (In Persian with English abstract)
  8. Berntsena, J., Hauggard-Nielsen, H., Olesen, J.E., Petersena, B.M., Jensenb, E.S., & Thomsen, A. (2004). Modelling dry matter production and resource use in intercrops of pea and barley. Field Crops Research, 88, 69–83.
  9. Bigonah, R., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., & Jahan, M. (2011). The effect of intercropping of coriander and fenugreek on theirs some quantitative and qualitative characteristics. National Conference of Sustainable Agriculture, Varamin, Iran, 1 December 2011. (In Persian). https://civilica.com/doc/129042
  10. Boquet, D.J., Koohce, K.L., & Walker, D.M. (1982). Selected determinate soybean cultivar yield responses to row spacings and planting dates. Agronomy Journal, 74, 136-138. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1982.00021962007400010035x
  11. Caballero, R.C., Alzueta, L.T., Ortiz, M.L., Rodriguez, R.T., & Barro, C. (2001). Carbohydrate and protein fractions of fresh and dried common vetch in three maturity stages. Agronomy Journal, 93, 1006-1013.
    https://doi.org/2134/agronj2001.9351006x.
  12. Carrubba, la Torre R., Di Prima A., & Saiano F. (2008) Bio-agronomical behaviour and seed composition of some Apiaceae grown in a Mediterranean semi-arid environment, Agroindustria, 2, 81–86.
  13. Dahmardeh, M., & Keshtegar, A. (2014). Evaluation of yield and yield Components of maize (Zea mays) in intercropping with peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Journal of Agroecology, 6(2), 311-323. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/jag.v6i2.39371
  14. Darzi, M.T., Ghalavand, A., Sefidkon, F., & Rejali, F. (2009). The effect of mycorriza, vermicompost and phosphatic biofertilizer application on quantity and quality of essential oil in fennel (Foeniculum vulgar). Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, 24(4), 396-413. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/20.1001.1.15625540.1387.10.1.7.0
  15. FAO. (2006). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Available at http://www.faostat.fao.org/faostat/.
  16. Fernandez-Aparicio, M., Emeran, A.A., & Rubiales, D. (2008). Control of Orobanche crenata in legumes intercropped with fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Crop Protection, 27, 653-659. https://doi.org/1016/j.cropro.2007.09.009.
  17. Feyzizadeh, E. (2012). Intercropping of borage (Borago officinalis) and millet (Panicum miliaceum) affected by different plant density. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Zabol University, Iran. (In Persian with English Summary). https://doi.org/22067/jag.v11i4.64039.
  18. Gholinezhad, E., & Rezaei-Chiyaneh, E. (2014). Evaluation of grain yield and quality of black cumin (Nigella sativa) in intercropping with chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 16(3), 236-249. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/20.1001.1.15625540.1393.16.3.6.5.
  19. Ghosh, P.K., Mohanty, M., Bandyopadhyay, K.K., Painuli, D.K., & Misra, A.K. (2006). Growth, competition, yield advantage and economics in soybean/pigeonpea intercropping system in semi-arid tropics of India. I. Effect of subsoiling. Field Crops Research, 96, 80-89. https://doi.org/1016/j.fcr.2005.05.010.
  20. Gustave, N.M., Jean, F., Ois, L., & Xavier, D. (2008). Shoot and root competition in potato/maize intercropping: Effects on growth and yield. Journal of Environmental and Experimental Botany, 64(2), 180-188. https://doi.org/1016/j.envexpbot.2008.05.008.
  21. Heidari Asl, A. (2014). Effect of nitrogen, weed interference arugula (Eruca sativa) and different planting methods on the performance of the intercropping of flax and clover. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran. (In Persian with English abstract).
  22. Heidari Sharifabad, H., & Dorri, M. (2002). Forage Crops (Tunicates). 1nd Moasese Tahghighate Jangalha VA Marate Press, 311 pp. (In Persian with English abstract).
  23. Khamooshi, A. (2014). Comparison of the diiferent ratio of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and fennel (Foenicolum vulgare Mill.) in addative and replacement series of intercropping. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. (In Persian with English abstract).
  24. Khorramdel, S., Koocheki, A., Nassiri Mahallati, M., & Ghorbani, R. (2008). The effect of application of bio-fertilizers on growth indexes of black cumin (Nigella sativa ). Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 6(2), 285-294. (In Persian with English abstract). https://civilica.com/doc/1803088.
  25. Koocheki, A., Lalehgani, B., & Najibnia, S. (2009). Evaluation of productivity in bean and corn intercropping. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 7(2), 605-614. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/1001.1.20081472.1388.7.2.27.7.
  26. Koocheki, A., Nassiri Mahallati, M., Borumand Rezazadeh, Z., Jahani, M., & Jafari, L. (2014). Yield responses of black cumin (Nigella sativa) to intercropping with chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and bean (Phaseoluse vulgaris L.). Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 12(1), 1-8. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/gsc.v12i1.36624
  27. Koocheki, A., Shabahang, J., Khorramdel, S., & Amin Ghafoori, A. (2012). Ecological study different patterns of row intercropping of borage (Borago officinalis) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L). Journal of Agroecology, 4(1), 1-11. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/jag.v4i1.14951.
  28. Lithourgidis, A.S., Vlachostergios, D.N., Dordas, C.A., & Damalas, C.A. (2011). Dry matter yield, nitrogen content, and competition in pea-cereal intercropping systems. European Journal of Agronomy, 34, 287-294. https://doi.org/1016/j.eja.2011.02.007.
  29. Mehta, B.K., Pandit, V., & Gupta, M. (2009). New principle from seeds of Nigella sativa. Natural Product Research, 23, 138-148. https://doi.org/1080/14786410801892078.
  30. Mirhashemi, M. (2009). Study of the intercropping of bishop and fenugreek with emphasis on organic agriculture principles. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. (In Persian with English Summary). Iranian Journal Agricultural Research, Vol. 7,2, 685-694. https://civilica.com/doc/1475761.
  31. Naghdi Badi, H.A., Sorooshzadeh, A., Rezazadeh, S., Sharifi, M., Ghalavand, A., & Omidi, H. (2007). A review on borage (valuable medicinal plant rich of gamalinolenic acid). Journal of Medicinal Plants, 24, 1-17. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/1001.1.2717204.2007.6.24.1.8.
  32. Nasirpoor, M. (2010). The effect of intercropping of millet and cowpea on grain yield and weed control. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Zabol University, Zabol, Iran. (In Persian with English abstract)
  33. Nematollahi, E., Jahansuz, M.R., Mazaheri, D., & Bannayan, M. (2013). Intercropping Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, The Third Iranian Weed Science Conference babolsar. 12, 119-142.
  34. Ngwira, A.R., Aune, J.B., & Mkwinda, S. (2012). On-farm evaluation of yield and economic benefit of short term maize legume intercropping systems under conservation agriculture in Malawi. Field Crops Research, 132, 149-157. https://doi.org/1016/j.fcr.2011.12.014
  35. Nowroozpoor, G., & Rezvani Moghaddam, P. (2005). The effect of different irrigation periods and plant density on yield and yield components of medicinal plant on black cumin (Nigella sativa). Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 23, 305-314. (In Persian with English abstract). https://civilica.com/doc/1803182
  36. Omidbeygi, R. (2005). Approaches of production and processing of medicinal plants (Vol. II). Astane Ghodse Razavi, Publishing Company, Mashhad, Iran. (In Persian)
  37. Philipp, A. (2009). What is sustainable agriculture? Empirical evidence of diverging views in Switzerland and New Zealand. Journal of Ecological Economics, 68(6), 1872-1882. https://doi.org/1016/j.ecolecon.2008.12.016
  38. Poor Amir, F., Koocheki., A., Nassiri Mahallati, M., & Ghorbani, R. (2010). Evaluation of yield and yield components of sesame and cowpea in replacement serires of intercropping. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 8(5), 757-768. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/22067/ijpr.v1394i2.30942
  39. Rezaei-Chianeh, E., Dabagh Mohammadinasab, A., Shakiba, M.R., Ghasemi Golazani, K., & Aharizade, S. (2010). Evaluation of light interception and canopy characteristics in monocropping and intercropping of maize (Zea mays) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.). Journal of Agroecology, 2(3), 437-447. (In Persian with English abstract). https://civilica.com/doc/663139
  40. Rezvani Moghadam, P., Raoofi, M.R., Rashed Mohassel, M.H., & Moradi, R. (2009). Evaluation of sowing patterns and weed control on mung bean (Vigna radiata Wilczek)- black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) intercropping system. Journal of Agroecology, 1(1), 65-79. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/jag.v1i1.2655
  41. Rezvani, M., Abdali Mashhadi, A., & Aslani, V. (2014). Comparison of some yield characteristics of Black Cumin in intercropping with anise and black seed. 1st International Conference of New Frontiers in Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment, Tehran, Iran, 14 February 2015. (In Persian). https://civilica.com/doc/360256
  42. Rostaie, M., Falah, S. and Souraki, A. (2015). Effect of fertilizer sources on growth, yield and yield components of fenugreek intercropped with black cumin. Journal of Crop Production, 7(4), 222-197. https://doi.org/1001.1.2008739.1393.7.4.11.0
  43. Joy, P. P., Thomas, J., Mathew, S., & Skaria, B. P. (1998). Medicinal plants. Tropical horticulture, 2, 449-632.‏
  44. Torkaman-Nia, A. (1997). Effect of swing time on the yield of black cumin in Torbat climate conditions. Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University (Branch Torbat), Iran. (In Persian with English Summary)
  45. Tsubo, M., & Walker, S. (2002). A model of radiation interception and use by a maize–bean intercrop canopy. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 110(3), 203-215.‏ https://doi.org/1016/S0168-1923(01)00287-8
  46. Tsubo, M., Walker, S., & Ogindo, H. O. (2005). A simulation model of cereal–legume intercropping systems for semi-arid regions: I. Model development. Field crops research, 93(1), 10-22.‏ https://doi.org/1016/j.fcr.2004.09.003
  47. Zafarian, F., & Bagheri Shirvan, M. (2014). Effect of intercropping different ratios on yield of soybean, sweet basil and borage. Journal of Crop Improvements, 16(1), 197-214. (In Persian with English abstract).  https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2014.51952
Send comment about this article
CAPTCHA Image

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 01 August 2015
  • Revise Date: 07 September 2016
  • Accept Date: 15 September 2016
  • First Publish Date: 27 November 2020

Share

How to cite

Statistics