Abstract

This research was performed to evaluate the influence of different mixed cropping patterns of local Beekia sativa (Beekia) with or without barley on herbage yield under arid (Ghweer) and semi-arid conditions (Mutah) in Jordan. Five patterns of mixture ratios of barley and Beekia were used as following: 0: 100, 25: 75, 50: 50, 75: 25 and 100: 0 at three levels of plant densities: low (150 seeds/m2), medium (300 seeds/m2) and high (450 seeds/m2) were arranged in complete randomized blocks with three replications. The results of this study showed that three levels of plant density (number of seeds/m2) had a significant effect on herbage yield on both fresh and dry weight basis at both studied locations (Ghweer and Mutah). Increasing plant density positively enhanced herbage yield being lowest at planting density of 150 seeds/m2 and highest at planting density 450 seeds/m2. This study also revealed that intercropping at different ratios positively enhanced herbage yield (both on fresh and dry basis) when compared to herbage yield produced when planting either Beekia or barley alone. Among all mixture ratios, barley: Beekia mixture at ratio 75: 25 was superior on herbage yield on both fresh and dry mater basis. Intercropping 75: 25 mixture of barley: Beekia at medium (300 seeds/m2) and high (450 seeds/m2) planting density can be effective strategy to maximize herbage yield under dry and semi-dry conditions. Barley and Beekia mixture seems to be a promising approach to be profitable for farmers in maximizing herbage yield per unit area under arid and semi-arid conditions in Jordan.