The Effect of Intercropping and Nitroxin Biofertilizer on Yield Components and Relative Yield Total of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and Dragon’s Head (Lallemantia iberica 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.