The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth and the yield of marcela [Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC.] biomass, in a monocrop system and intercropped with common plantain (Plantago major L. ) as well as to determine the population of these medicinal plants in a more efficient intercrop system, in order to increase the yield and the economic return. Six treatments were established: two rows of marcela spaced 0.4 m from each other (M0,40), two rows of marcela spaced 0.25 m (M0,25), two rows of common plantain spaced 0.75 m (T0,75), three rows of common plantain spaced 0.40 m (T0,40), two rows of marcela alternated with three rows of common plantain (M0,40T0,40), and two rows of marcela alternated with three rows of common plantain (M0,25T0,25). The experimental design was the randomized blocks with four replications. Harvests of marcela were performed at 180, 210 and, 225 days after the transplantation. The treatments did not influence the heights of marcela and common plantain. Yields of marcela were influenced only by the harvest dates and they were significantly higher in the first and the second dates, showing fresh mass of flowers of 2.51; 2.63 and 1.28 t ha-1, respectively, at 180, 210 and 225 days after the transplantation. Fresh mass of common plantain leaves was not influenced by the intercropping, but it was higher under T0,40(6.13 t ha-1) space than under T0,75(3.32 t ha-1). Land Equivalent Ratio of the M T intercropping was 1.6 and that of M0,25T0,75 was 2.4. Regarding the gross income, increases of 30% were observed for the treatment M0,40 T0,40 and 77% for the treatment M0,40 T0,40 when compared to the treatment M0,25 and 70% and 131%, respectively, when compared to T0,40.
Medicinal plant; intercropping; plant population; marcela; Achyrocline satureioides; common plantain; Plantago major
