Effect of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) density on essential oil yield to Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) intercropping

In order to evaluate intercropping of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.), an experiment was conducted in the Agricultural Research Station of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2004 growing season. Treatments were: sole crop of Persian clover (eight rows), double-row intercropping of Persian clover and summer savory with 27 plant.m^-2, 40 plant.m^-2 and 80 plant.m^-2 (eight rows), sole crop of summer savory with 27 plant.m^-2, 40 plant.m^-2 and 80 plant.m^-2 (eight rows). For this purpose a complete randomized block design with 7 treatments and 4 replications was used. Effect of different treatments on essential oil percentage was not significant but on essential oil yield was significant. essential oil yield of summer savory in sole crop treatments were significantly higher than in intercrop (P>0.05). Highest of essential oil yield was in sole crop of summer savory with 40 plant.m^-2 and lowest was in intercropping of summer savory with 27 plant.m^-2 and Persian clover. In intercropping treatments, this parameter increased by increasing plant density. The result of this increasing, plant dry weight was highest by increasing plant density. In sole crop of summer savory treatments, essential oil yield in 27 plant.m^-2, 40 plant.m^-2 and 80 plant.m^-2 density were 55, 59/7 and 58/2kg/h.

References: [1] Baher, Z.F. et al. (2002) Flavour Frag. J. 17:257–277.

[2] Evans, P.M. et al. (2005) Aust. J. Exp. Agric. 42:135–141.