The Effect of Intercropping and Nitroxin Biofertilizer on Yield Components and Relative Yield Total of Purslane (<i>Portulaca oleracea</i> L.) and Dragon’s Head (<i>Lallemantia iberica</i> Fisch. & C.A. Mey)

Abstract

A field study was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of intercropping and biofertilizers on yield and yield components of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and dragon's head (Lallemantia iberica Fisch. and C.A. Mey). The experiment was factorial on the basis of a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was an additive intercropping system including monocultured purslane, monocultured dragon's head, intercropping of 100% purslane + 25% dragon's head, intercropping of 100% purslane + 50% dragon's head, intercropping of 100% purslane + 75% dragon's head; the second factor was nutrient treatments including application of 50% inorganic N fertilizer (urea) + nitroxin, inorganic N fertilizer (urea), nitroxin and no fertilizer. Results showed that as the density of dragon's head increased, the number of branches in purslane decreased. In purslane, the number of capsules was significantly affected by intercropping and application of biofertilizers. In both crops, the effects of treatments on yield were significant. Results clearly showed that Relative Yield Total (RYT) was always higher in intercropping than monocultured systems. The highest RYT was observed in intercropping of 100% purslane + 50% dragon's head with the application of 50% inorganic N fertilizer (urea) + nitroxin. Therefore, combination usage of biofertilizers and inorganic N fertilizers can improve yields in purslane/dragon's head intercropping.

Seed oil and seed oil byproducts of common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.): A new insight to plant-based sources rich in omega-3 fatty acids

“…Seed yield was 1100 kg/ha for the 1st harvest and 125.3 kg/ha for the 2nd harvest, resulting in a total of 1225.3 kg/ha (data not shown). A previous study by Ghamari, Shafagh Kolvanagh, Sabaghpour, and Dabbagh Mohammadi Nassab (2016) reported significantly lower seed yield of purslane comparing to our study (355.3-605.1 kg/ha), which could be attributed partly to lower plant densities and/or differences in the genotypes tested (wild ecotypes comparing to improved cultivars). Oil seed content in the 2nd harvest was considerably low (17.6% and 10.6% in the 1st and 2nd harvest, respectively) suggesting that extending the growing period by performing a 2nd harvest would not result in a significant increase of total oil yield per hectare.…”

Agronomical Practices and Management for Commercial Cultivation of Portulaca oleracea as a Crop: A Review

“…Sowing date and harvesting are two agronomic practices that may have an impact on yield and quality of the final product. Considering the short growth cycle of the species, sowing can take place on various dates from early May to mid-June, as soon as the temperature requirements for germination are fulfilled, and even more than one cropping is possible within the same growing period [ 28 , 38 , 88 ], while plant density may also affect biomass yield [ 95 , 96 ]. The sowing of seeds with the existing sowing machines is troublesome due to the small size of seeds, while seed pelleting would significantly increase seed and crop production cost.…”

“…Experiments in the field showed that purslane is a promising candidate for exploiting degraded soils and/or irrigation water of low quality. Moreover, it can be integrated into intercropping schemes that can improve soil fertility and physicochemical qualities [ 95 , 115 ] or used as a cover crop (mulching) that improves soil enzyme activity [ 116 ]. On the other hand, the advantage of pot cultivation is related to the reduced growth cycle and the control of environmental conditions which allow several cropping cycles over the year.…”