Intercropping effects on growth, yield and biological activity of Thymus vulgaris and Salvia officinalis under open field conditions

Ezz Al-Dein Al-Ramamneh; Ziad Al-Rawashdeh; Karajeh Muwaffaq; Hammad  Aldal’in; Samer Qaraleh; Omar Al-Qaralleh; Khalid Alsharafa

doi:10.55779/nsb18212837

Authors

Ezz Al-Dein Al-Ramamneh Al-Balqa Applied University, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Department of Plant Production and Protection, Al-Salt (JO) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9334-5590
Ziad Al-Rawashdeh Al-Balqa Applied University, AL-Shouback University College, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Maan (JO) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4982-9277
Karajeh Muwaffaq Mutah University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Protection and IPM, Karak (JO) https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6221-8693
Hammad Aldal’in Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Karak University College, Department of Medical Support, Al-Karak (JO) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5482-3625
Samer Qaraleh Mutah University, Faculty of Dentistry, Al-Karak (JO) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7502-1349
Omar Al-Qaralleh Mutah University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Al-Karak (JO) https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0861-9400
Khalid Alsharafa Mutah University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Al-Karak (JO) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1533-5001

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55779/nsb18212837

Keywords:

antioxidant activity, intercropping, nematodes, Salvia officinalis L., antioxidant activity; intercropping; nematodes; thyme; salvia, sole cropping, Thymus vulgaris, yield

Abstract

Intercropping of plants is gaining more attention because of the numerous advantages in medical and food industry in comparison to the sole planting of crops. This study was established for two growing seasons to evaluate the effect of six planting patterns/arrangements of Thymus vulgaris and Salvia officinalis (sole planting at wide intra-row spacing, 45 cm, or at narrow intra-row spacing, 15 cm), alternate-row intercropping (two separate alternate rows where the first crop is spaced at 45 cm apart in the first row and the second crop is spaced 15 cm apart in the second row and vice versa). Intercropping has significantly increased shoot- and leaf-yield for 45 cm spaced T. vulgaris in the first season; and for 15 cm spaced T. vulgaris in the second season when intercropped with S. officinalis compared to T. vulgaris sole cropping. 45 cm spaced S. officinalis intercropped with T. vulgaris showed better growth and accumulated higher leaf yield in both seasons; however, this intercropping pattern has increased shoot yield of 45 cm space S. officinalis in the first but not in the second season compared to S. officinalis sole cropping. Compared to S. officinalis sole cropping, intercropping with T. vulgaris showed significant effects on increasing the percentage of free-living nematodes in rhizosphere of 15 cm and 45 cm spaced S. officinalis in both seasons. The least IC50 values needed to scavenge 50% ABTS radicals were recorded using ethanolic extract of 15 cm spaced T. vulgaris (sole crop), while 15 cm spaced T. vulgaris intercropped with S. officinalis showed the least IC50 values needed to scavenge 50% DPPH radicals in both seasons, respectively, which reflected their significant potent antioxidant activities. This study showed that intercropping patterns may have modified the rhizosphere environment of T. vulgaris and S. officinalis, which could be further exploited for production of higher leaf and shoot yield (for food consumption) or high valued pharmaceutical products (for industrial purposes).

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