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Introduction: Biofertilizers and intercropping are two main components in sustainable production systems. Materials and methods: A two-year (2020-2021) study was conducted in East Azarbaijan, Iran, to evaluate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), growth-promoting bacteria (GPB) and chemical fertilizer (CF) on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) (F) oil yield and compositions in intercropping with Moldavian balm (Dracocephalam mobdavica L.) (MB). The cropping patterns included MB sole cropping, fenugreek sole cropping (F) and replacement intercropping ratios consisted of Moldavian balm: fenugreek (MB:F (1:1)), MB:F (2:2) and MB:F (4:2) and additive intercropping of MB:F (100:50). Results: For both years, among the intercropping patters, the highest seed and oil yields were obtained in MB:F (100:50) intercropping pattern treated with CF and AMF+GPB. In all cropping patterns except MB:F (4:2), the highest anthocyanin, total flavonoid, and mucilage contents were observed in plants received AMF +GPB. At all treatments, the linoleic, oleic, and linolenic acid were the main components of fenugreek oil. In MB:F (1:1), (2:2), (4:2), and (100:50) intercropping patterns, the linoleic acid content in AMF+GPB treatment, increased by 9.45%, 6.63%, 15.20%, and 7.82%, respectively, compared with sole fenugreek. The highest total land equivalent ratio (LERT) values were obtained in 2021 and MB: F (100:50) intercropping pattern treated with CF (1.70) and AMF+GPB (1.63). Conclusions: In general, it could be concluded that MB:F (100:50) intercropping pattern treated with AMF+GPB improved the oil yield and unsaturated fatty acid contents of fenugreek compared with sole cropping and could be recommended in sustainable production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) is a summer annual weed of the corn fields in the north-western parts of Iran. Field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 to examine the seedling emergence and growth of common at different achene (seed) burial depths (3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 cm) and wheat straw mulch amounts (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 ton ha-1). Results indicated that increasing achene burial depth and mulch amount reduced X. strumarium seedling emergence. In both years, no seedling emergence was observed from 18-cm achene burial depth. X. strumarium biomass and achene number per plant were affected by achene burial depth and mulch amount, and were greater in 2014 than in 2013. The corn leaf area index (LAI) and grain yield were higher in the treatments which deeper achene burial depth and mulch amount were high. Therefore, X. strumarium emergence in the corn can be suppressed by a tillage that buries the achenes to ≥18 cm of soil depth. Maintaining a thick residue cover will provide competitive advantage of corn over X. strumarium due to an inhibitory effect on X. strumarium emergence and growth and may lead to a reduction in the future weed infestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research tries to study the application of chemical and biofertilizers on growth, yield, and fatty acid composition of safflower, intercropped with faba bean. As such, it carries out an experiment, based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm of University of Tabriz during two growing seasons of 2015 and 2016. Sole cropping of safflower, sole cropping of faba bean, and intercropping of safflower and faba bean with ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 make up the first factor, while the second factor entails four levels of fertilizers, viz. no fertilizer, 100%, 30% chemical fertilizer, and 60% chemical fertilizer plus biofertilizer (Azoto barvar-1 and phosphate barvar-2). Results show that the highest Chlorophyll content, plant height, and number of branch per plant belong to safflower/faba bean intercropping (1:1) by means of 60% chemical plus biological fertilizers. Also, integrated use of chemical and biological fertilizers have increased seed yield, oil content (33.81%), linoleic (76.97%), and linolenic (0.32%) fatty acids. The highest land equivalent ratio (1.41) has been achieved in intercropped plants (1:1) with integrated use of 60% chemical and biological fertilizers. For both periods, total actual yield loss for all intercrops has been above zero, indicating the positive advantage of intercropping over the pure one. Overall, intercropping (safflower/faba bean) with integrated use of chemical and biological fertilizers could be recommended as an appropriate method for production of safflower with better quality and quantity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepidium vesicarium is a weed species with a wide distribution in the rangelands and dry-land farming in East Azarbaijan, Iran. The experiments were undertaken to assay the effects of light, temperature, pH, osmotic potential, NaCl concentration and burial depth on seed germination and emergence of L. vesicarium. Germination was maintained at high levels (> 80%) over a wide day/night temperature range (10/5 to 30/20°C), but a severe reduction in the germination rate of L. vesicarium was found below 20/10°C. Germination of L. vesicarium was influenced by different light/dark regimes, as the germination rate was highest at 16 h light for the all treatments (0, 8, 12, 16 and 24 h light). Germination was 92-95% over a wide range of pH (2-10). Germination was >50% at a water potential of −0.7 MPa and salinity of 21 dS/m, indicating that drought and salt conditions have a minimal impact on seed germination. With increasing burial depth from 0 to 2 cm, the number of days required for 50% emergence increased and no germination was observed at burial depths deeper than 3 cm. This suggests that L. vesicarium would become troublesome in the rangelands and for growers in reduced-tillage cropping systems. The ability to emerge from shallow depths, coupled with tolerance of a wide pH range, drought and salinity at germination, should be taken into account when managing this weed species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]