The effect of simultaneous cropping of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia)with thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) on the amount of essential oil in the forage

Introducing mixtures of medicinal plants with a forage crop can be a remedy for improving animal health. This experimental field study evaluated the possibility of producing medicinal-forage using sainfoin, thyme, and fennel within a mixed-cropping system. The treatments consisted of 70S:30T, 80S:20T, 90S:10T; 70S:15T:15F, 70S:20T:10F, 70S:10T:20F, 80S:10S:10F, 90S:5T:5F; 70S:30F, 80S:20F, 90S:10F; and 100S (S=Sainfoin; T=Thyme; F=Fennel). Results showed that the ratio of medicinal plants affected total tannin and the essential oil content of thyme and fennel in a simultaneous cropping system. The treatments with thyme had more tannin than those containing fennel. , and the amount of essential oils was significantly affected by the treatments (p<0.01). In fact, the highest volume of fennel essential oil was observed in 70S:15T:15F, while the highest amount of thyme essential oil was observed in 70S:30T.

Keywords:

tannin , essential oil , intercropping , medicinal forage , sainfoin , thyme , fennel