Influence of planting date, intercropping and plant growthpromoting rhizobacteria on cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.)with particular respect to disease infestation in Iran

tThis study was performed to evaluate the effect of different planting dates, planting patternand plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on yield, growth and also disease devel-opment in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) when intercropped with fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.). For this purpose, a field experiment was conducted in a split-plot fac-torial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replicationsin Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran in 2012 and repeated in 2013. The experimentaltreatments were planting dates (5 November, 5 December and 5 March) assigned to mainplots, planting patterns (sole cropping and intercropping of cumin and fenugreek) and PGPR(control, Pseudomonas putida and Azotobacter chroococcum) that were randomized in sub-plot. Results showed that fall planting dates and intercropping system had positive effectson cumin disease control, whereas application of PGPR had no significant effect in bothyears. Fall planting dates produced more seed yield in both crops than spring planting. Thebenefit of Pseudomonas was demonstrated on seed yield of cumin and fenugreek. The valuesof land equivalent ratio (LER) for all treatments of planting dates and PGPR were more thanone. This issue indicated that the intercropping system had positive effect on diseases con-trol because of the physical barrier established by the fenugreek and subsequently on seedyield for 2012 and 2013 growing seasons. In essence, modifying planting date and usingintercropping systems contribute to the reduction of disease infestation of cumin withoutusing chemicals.

Azotobacter chroococcumEssential oilFusariumMedicinal plantsPseudomonas putidaTrigonella foenum-graecuma