ENHANCEMENT OF GROWTH, YIELD AND ACTIVE INGREDIENTS IN ROSELLE AND CLUSTER BEAN BY INTERCROPPING PATTERN AND LITHOVIT

Abstract

This study aimed to determinate the optimal condition for growth, yield components and some chemical constituents of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba plants in intercropping patterns (sole crop of each component as control, 1:2, 1:3 and 2:3 roselle: cluster bean row ratios) under different rates of nano-material compound (Lithovit at 0, 2, 4 and 6 g/l). This study was conducted in Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Egypt during the two summer consecutive seasons of 2018 and 2019. Plots consisted in the intercropping patterns and the subplots were constituted by the lithovit rates. Intercropping patterns and lithovit rates affected the plant height, number of leaves per plant and total dry weight per plant of roselle and cluster bean and sepals yield per plant, total chlorophyll, and anthocyanin content of roselle plant as well as seed yield per plant, total chlorophyll, and galactomannan percentage of cluster bean. Sole crop of roselle and cluster bean recorded the highest values compared to intercropping patterns. The best intercropping pattern in this regard was the treatment of 1 row of roselle: 3 rows of cluster bean. In addition, the highest values of abovementioned parameters were achieved by 4 g/l of lithovit compared to the other rates under study. The interaction of intercropping pattern and lithovit-affected growth, yield components and chemical constituents of roselle and cluster bean and the best treatment in this regard was 1:3 pattern and 4 g/l of lithovit.