effect of plant density on growth indices of summer savory (satureja hortensis l.) and persian clover (trifolium resupinatum l.) intercropping

in order to evaluate intercropping of summer savory (satureja hortensis l.) and persian clover (trifolium resupinatum l.), an experiment was conducted at agricultural research station of ferdowsi university of mashhad in 2004 growing season. treatments were sole cropping of persian clover (eight rows), double-row intercropping of persian clover and summer savory with 27, 40 and 80 plants.m-2 (eight rows) and sole cropping of summer savory with 27, 40 and 80 plants.m-2 (eight rows). for this purpose a complete randomized block design with 4 replications was used. results showed that leaf area index (lai), crop growth rate (cgr) and total dry matter (tdm) of summer savory in sole cropping were much higher than the intercrop. in sole cropping, these indices decreased by increasing plant density. in intercrops, these parameters increased by increasing plant density. in the first harvest of persian clover, all growth indices in double-row intercropping of persian clover and summer savory with 27 plants.m-2 treatment were highest and by increasing summer savory density, these parameters decreased. however, in the second and third harvests a reversed pattern was observed.