Abstract
Implementing intercropping systems with biofertilizer applications is a sustainable and eco-friendly strategy for improving the quantity and quality of plant products. This study evaluates the impact of biofertilizers in intercropping patterns (kidney bean/sesame) on soil biological activity, nutrient concentration, seed productivity, and sesame oil quantity and quality. The experimental cropping patterns included sesame monocropping (Sm), kidney bean monocropping (KBm), 1 row sesame + 1 row kidney bean intercropping (1S:1 KB), 2 rows sesame + 2 rows kidney bean intercropping (2S:2 KB), 2 rows sesame + 4 rows kidney bean intercropping (2S:4 KB), and 4 rows sesame + 2 rows kidney bean intercropping (4S:2 KB), with co‑inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Funneliformis mosseae) + bacterial fertilizer (mixture of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria Pantoea agglomerans + Pseudomonas putida and N-fixing bacteria Azotobacter vinelandii) and an unfertilized control. The 2S:4 KB intercropping ratio with biofertilizer application had the highest soil microbial and enzyme activities. The biofertilizer application on the monocrops produced the highest sesame and kidney bean seed yields (28.9% and 10.3% higher than the unfertilized control, respectively). The 4S:2 KB intercropping ratios with biofertilizer application produced the highest oleic (49.90%) and linoleic acids (33.83%) in sesame oil, and the 2S:2 KB intercropping ratio with biofertilizer application had the greatest land equivalent ratio (1.38). We conclude that the 2S:2 KB and 4S:2 KB intercropping ratios with biofertilizer application could be environmentally friendly solutions for improving sesame oil quantity and quality.
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Data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.
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Taghizadeh, Y., Amirnia, R., Rezaei-Chiyaneh, E. et al. Co-Inoculation of Mycorrhizal Fungi with Bacterial Fertilizer Along with Intercropping Scenarios Improves Seed Yield and Oil Constituents of Sesame. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 23, 2258–2272 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-023-01177-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-023-01177-8