Application of bio and chemical fertilizers improves yield, and essential oil quantity and quality of Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) intercropped with mung bean (Vigna radiata L.)

Abstract

Intercropping Moldavian balm with mung bean is an ecological approach for improving resource productivity. A field experiment was conducted over two growing seasons (2018 and 2019) to determine the effect of fertilizer application on yield and essential oil (EO) productivity of Moldavian balm intercropped with mung bean. The experiment had a two‐factor randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The first factor comprised of five cropping patterns: Moldavian balm sole crop (MBs), mung bean sole crop (MGs), one row each of Moldavian balm +mung bean (1MB:1MG), two rows each of Moldavian balm +mung bean (2MB:2MG), and three rows of Moldavian balm +two rows of mung bean (3MB:2MG). The second factor comprised four fertilizer sources: no fertilizer application (C, control), 100% chemical fertilizer (NPK), 50% chemical fertilizer +100% bacterial fertilizer (NPK+BF), and 100% bacterial fertilizer +100% mycorrhizal fungi (BF+MF). The sole crop fertilized with NPK+BF produced the highest seed yields for MG (1189 kg/ha) and MB (7027 kg/ha), while 3MB:2MG fertilized with NPK+BF had the highest nutrient contents. Moldavian balm produced the highest EO content and yield in 2MB:2MG fertilized with NPK+BF. The EO of MB mainly comprised geranyl acetate (30–39%), geranial (20–31%), neral (18–24%), and geraniol (3–8%). In addition, the 3MB:2MG intercropping treatment fertilized with NPK+BF had the highest land equivalent ratio (LER = 1.35). We recommend an intercropping ratio of 2MB:2MG fertilized with NPK+BF is recommended as an alternative and eco‐friendly strategy for farmers to improve EO quantity and quality.

Response of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Growth and Yield to Planting Densities and Row Arrangements in Tomato-Basil Intercropping System

“…A decrease in the weight of individual plants at higher plant density might be due to a reduction in the growth and development of the plants. The present result was in agreement with the finding of Faridvand et al (2021), who reported that basil benefited from the reduction of its companions and, with more access to light, it accumulated more chlorophyll and produced more aboveground biomass. Nigussie et al (2017) reported that the highest and lowest stem fresh weights were observed at 80% and 20% population density of rosemary intercropped with onion.…”

Application of humic acid and biofertilizers changes oil and phenolic compounds of fennel and fenugreek in intercropping systems

“…The essential oils in fennel were analyzed using GC–MS (Agilent 7890/5975A GC/MSD), following the protocol of Faridvand et al (2021) 14 .…”

“…Intercropping can increase sustainable production and reduce chemical inputs in agricultural systems 12 – 14 , establish an ecological balance, exploit resources to a greater extent, increase yields quantitatively and qualitatively, and decrease the damage caused by pests, diseases, and weeds 15 , 16 . Therefore, reducing farmer reliance on pesticides while at the same time maintaining crop productivity and quality are key intercropping goals for sustainable farming.…”

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity of Dracocephalum moldavica L. Essential Oil and Hydrolate

“…According to referenced data from the literature about DMEO chemical composition ( Table 8 ), as well as cluster analysis performed using this data for the construction an unrooted phylogenetic tree ( Figure 4 ), it could be assumed that the largest number of accessions belonged to the geranial + neral + geranyl acetate chemotype [ 2 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 17 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. The D. moldavica plants grown and utilized in this study also belonged to the above chemotype.…”