Abstract

The study investigated the effect of organic/biofertilizers in intercropping patterns on seed yield and yield components and essential oil, fatty acid, and phenolic compounds of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Experimental treatments included the application of humic acid (HA), biofertilizers (BFS), and the unfertilized control in five planting patterns [1 row fennel + 2 rows fenugreek intercropping (1F:2FG), 2 rows fennel + 2 rows fenugreek intercropping (2F:2FG), 2 rows fennel + 4 rows fenugreek intercropping (2F:4FG), and sole cropping of each species]. Sole cropping with BFS produced the highest seed yields for fennel (2233 kg ha−1) and fenugreek (1240 kg ha–1). In contrast, the 2F:2FG intercropping ratio with BFS yielded the maximum fixed oil content for fennel (17.4%) and fenugreek (8.3%). Application of HA and BFS enhanced oil yields by 66% and 75% in fennel and 40% and 57% in fenugreek, respectively. The 2F:2FG intercropping ratio with BFS produced the maximum essential oil constituents [(E)-anethole, estragole, and fenchone] in fennel. In addition, 2F:4FG with BFS and 1F:1FG with HA produced the highest unsaturated fatty acid (oleic and linoleic acids) concentration in both species. The 2F:2FG intercropping ratio with BFS and HA produced the highest chlorogenic acid and quercetin contents, respectively, in fennel. In contrast, the 2F:4FG intercropping ratio with HA produced the highest chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid contents in fenugreek. Intercropping fennel/fenugreek with BFS or HA improved the essential oil content (fennel only), fixed oil quality and quantity, and phenolic compounds and created a more sustainable cultivation system than sole cropping systems for both species under low-input conditions.

Details

Title
Application of humic acid and biofertilizers changes oil and phenolic compounds of fennel and fenugreek in intercropping systems
Author
Lavin, Ghaderimokri 1 ; Rezaei-Chiyaneh Esmaeil 1 ; Ghiyasi Mahdi 1 ; Gheshlaghi Mohammad 2 ; Battaglia, Martin Leonardo 3 ; Siddique Kadambot H M 4 

 Urmia University, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia, Iran (GRID:grid.412763.5) (ISNI:0000 0004 0442 8645) 
 Iranian Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR), Department of Chromatography, Urmia, Iran (GRID:grid.412763.5) 
 The Nature Conservancy, Center for Sustainability Science, Arlington, USA (GRID:grid.422375.5) (ISNI:0000 0004 0591 6771) 
 The University of Western Australia, The UWA Institute of Agriculture, Perth, Australia (GRID:grid.1012.2) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 7910) 
Publication year
2022
Publication date
2022
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2648332292
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2022. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.