Effect of Intercropping of Thompson Seedless Grapevines with some Medicinal Plants on Vine Nutritional Status, Yield, Berry Quality and the Microbiological Activity of the Soil

Abstract

This study was carried out during two successive seasons (2015 & 2016) in a private vineyard farm at Boktares village, Aga, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. The experiment was conducted on 12 years old Thompson seedless grapevines cultivar in a clay soil under surface irrigation system. The vines were trained on three vertical wires system and cane-pruned. Seeds of four medicinal plants; fenugreek, anise, black cumin and parsley were planted in rows between the vines rows in the fourth week of September 2014 and 2015 seasons. At the same time different plots were cultivated by different medicinal plants as sole crops to compare growth characters and medicinal plants yield under intercropping conditions with individual cultivation of medicinal plants without intercropping. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intercropping of Thompson seedless grapevines with some medicinal on vines nutritional status, yield, berry quality and the microbiological activity of the soil. Obtained results revealed that intercropping of Thompson seedless grapevines with all used medicinal plants increased N, P , K and organic matter (O M) in the soil, which enhanced vines nutritional status, vegetative growth, yield and berry quality. Vines intercropped with fenugreek plant significantly increased shoot length, leaf area and total chlorophyll content in the leaves as well as yield per vine, soluble solids content and total sugar, while reduced the total acidity in berries. In addition, increased total microbial count, dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzymes activity in the rhizosphere. The economical study indicated that intercropping Thompson seedless with fenugreek gave the highest net profit/ feddan followed by intercropping Thompson seedless with black cumin, parsley and anise, respectively.

Intercropping Perennial Fruit Trees and Annual Field Crops with Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (MAPs) in the Mediterranean Basin

“…Grape quality was improved by intercropping with only fenugreek and anise [62]. Additionally, compared to grape in monoculture, both soil microbial count and activity (based on symbiotic associations with soil microbes) were higher for grape intercropped with fenugreek, followed by anise, parsley, and black cumin [62]. This paper clearly shows the enormous potential of MAP intercropping in viticulture.…”

“…Although the yield for all MAP crops intercropped with grape was lower, the estimated combined net profit (grape + MAP) was highest for fenugreek, followed by black cumin, parsley, and anise [62]. Grape quality was improved by intercropping with only fenugreek and anise [62]. Additionally, compared to grape in monoculture, both soil microbial count and activity (based on symbiotic associations with soil microbes) were higher for grape intercropped with fenugreek, followed by anise, parsley, and black cumin [62].…”

“…Grape yield was significantly higher for grapevines intercropped with fenugreek, anise, parsley and black cumin (in descending order) than in monoculture. Although the yield for all MAP crops intercropped with grape was lower, the estimated combined net profit (grape + MAP) was highest for fenugreek, followed by black cumin, parsley, and anise [62]. Grape quality was improved by intercropping with only fenugreek and anise [62].…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, the first study reporting multiple beneficial sustainable effects of intercropping grapevine (mature 12-year-old Thompson seedless grapevine) with different MAPs (anise, black cumin, fenugreek and parsley) was conducted over two successive seasons in Egypt [62] (Table 2). Grape yield was significantly higher for grapevines intercropped with fenugreek, anise, parsley and black cumin (in descending order) than in monoculture.…”

Annual Intercrops: An Alternative Pathway for Sustainable Horticultural Production

“…Intercropping of grapevines var. Thompson Seedless with all used medicinal plants increased nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic matter in the soil, which improved vines nutritional status, vegetative growth, yield and quality of fruit (Belal et al, 2017). Likewise, Swain (2016) carried out an experiment on guava based intercropping systems comprising of nine inter-crops such as mango, ginger, turmeric, tomato, cowpea, French bean, ragi, niger, upland paddy with control to study the effect of various intercropping systems on plant and soil health of guava orchard.…”