Response of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) to Type and Amount of Organic Fertilizer Applications in Intercropping with Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

To investigate the effect of organic fertilizer applications on yield and competition indices of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) in different combinations of intercropping with sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an experiment was carried out in split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replicates in 2011. The main plots were six fertilizer treatments consisted of 20 and 40 Mg ha-1 of vermicompost and sewage sludge plus 50% recommended chemical fertilizer, chemical fertilizer alone (100 kg ha-1 of urea, triple super phosphate and potassium sulfate) and control (no fertilizer application). Subplots were different planting ratios (sole cropping of basil and sesame, 75% + 25%, 50% + 50 %, 25% + 75% of basil+sesame). In this experiment, the 25% basil+75% sesame and 50% basil + 50%sesame under40 Mg. ha-1 of enriched sewage sludge application had the highest economical yield (up to 3097.47 kg ha-1) with a land equivalent ratio (up to 1.24). According to the aggressivity coefficient estimates of two plant species basil incombination of 25% basil + 75% sesame and sesame in 50% basil + 50% sesame and 75% basil + 25% sesame under organic fertilizer application would be dominant species competitave in ranges of 0.12 to 0.30 and 0.11 to 0.57, respectively.

Keywords

• Aggressivity value
• Land equivalent ratio
• Sewage sludge