Assessing the Impact of Intercropping on Smooth Vetch (Vicia dasycarpa) and Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) with Diverse Biological and Zeoponic Nutrition

This study presents a comprehensive examination of the application of intercropping as a pivotal strategy for enhancing agricultural diversity, with a focus on evaluating diverse biological and Zeoponic nutrition systems in the intercropping of smooth vetch (Vicia dasycarpa) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum). The experimental design employed was a randomized complete block format with three replications, conducted at the Kermanshah University Research Farm during the cropping year of 2021-2022. The primary plot configuration included four different fertilizer types: a control without any fertilizer (C), with biofertilizer (B), with Zeoponic fertilizer (Z), and a compound strategy with biofertilizer combined with 50% Zeoponic fertilizer (BZ50). Subplots were dedicated to additive intercropping systems, namely: 100% vetch (V100), 100% vetch intercropped with 50% coriander (V100C50), and 100% vetch intercropped with 100% coriander (V100C100). The findings of this experiment revealed that the highest fresh forage yield (12,227 kg/ha) was achieved through the sole cropping of vetch with biofertilizer and a 50% application of Zeoponic fertilizer. Both species exhibited enhancement of different attributes when intercropped under various fertilization regimes. Particularly, the crude protein content (24.5%) and total ash content (10.25%) of vetch were highest in sole cultivation. Furthermore, in the intercropping system with the application of biofertilizers, the highest levels of indigestible fiber (39.6%) and neutral extract fiber (NDF) (34.44%) were recorded. Consequently, the additive intercropping of vetch and coriander is proposed as a recommendable strategy for a medicinal forage combination within the geographic scope of this study.