Abstract

Mixed culture is a simultaneous culture of two or more plants in one farm and has many advantages which increase in yield is the most important one of them. This study was conducted to evaluate possibility of chamomile and saffron (Crocus sativus L.) mixed culture during 2008 to 2010 years. Three chamomile kinds (Matricaria chamomilla, Tanacetum parthenium and Anthemis nobilis) at two sowing dates (autumn and spring) were examined in a three years old saffron farm. The experimental layout was split factorial in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Saffron and pure chamomile plots were two main plots and Factorial of two sowing dates (November 2008 -after saffron flower harvesting- as autumnal sowing date and late February 2008 as spring sowing date) and three kinds of chamomile (M. Chamomilla, A. nobilis andT. parthenium) were sub plots. According to the results, there was no competition between saffron and chamomile in all mixed culture treatments. Various treatments did not show significant differences in saffron yield and top treatment (saffron and autumnal M. Chamomilla); it produced 1.83 kg/ha saffron flower and 1354 kg/ha chamomile flower (LER = 1.69). Also, there was no significant difference between yield of chamomile in mixed culture and the yield of M. Chamomilla in pure chamomile cultivation. Chamomile cultivation significantly reduced soil electrical conductivity (EC). According to the results, we can announce that cultivation of all three chamomile kinds is possible in saffron farms of all similar regions of the world either immediately after flower harvesting of saffron in late November or February.

Key words: Mixed culture, saffron, chamomile, land equivalent ratio, soil electrical conductivity.