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Analysis of institutional authors

Navarro Rocha, JulianaAuthor

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January 7, 2026
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Review

Intercropping Medicinal and Aromatic Plants with Other Crops: Insights from a Review of Sustainable Farming Practices

Publicated to: Agronomy-Basel. 15 (12): 2692- - 2025-11-22 15(12), DOI: 10.3390/agronomy15122692

Authors:

Acimovic, Milica; Navarro Rocha, Juliana; Ibraliu, Alban; Cervenski, Janko; Sikora, Vladimir; Winter, Silvia; Loncar, Biljana; Pezo, Lato; Salamon, Ivan
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Affiliations

Agr Univ Tirana, Fac Agr & Environm, Dept Agron Sci, Tirana 1029, Albania - Author
Agrifood Res & Technol Ctr Aragon CITA, Dept Plant Sci, Avda Montanana 930, Zaragoza 50059, Spain - Author
BOKU Univ, Inst Plant Protect, Dept Agr Sci, A-1180 Vienna, Austria - Author
Natl Inst Republ Serbia, Inst Field & Vegetable Crops Novi Sad, Maksima Gorkog 30, Novi Sad 21000, Serbia - Author
Univ Belgrade, Inst Gen & Phys Chem, Studentski Trg 12-16, Belgrade 11000, Serbia - Author
Univ Novi Sad, Fac Technol Novi Sad, Bulevar Cara Lazara 1, Novi Sad 21000, Serbia - Author
Univ Presov, Fac Humanities & Nat Sci, Dept Ecol, 01, 17th November St, SK-08116 Presov, Slovakia - Author
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Abstract

Intercropping medicinal and aromatic plants with other crops has demonstrated substantial potential for improving sustainable agricultural systems. Across a wide range of species, including yarrow, dill, wormwood, pot marigold, ajowan, coriander, saffron, cumin, lemongrass, Moldavian dragonhead, fennel, hyssop, dragons head, lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, mint, black cumin, basil, rose-scented geranium, aniseed, patchouli, rosemary, sage, summer savory, marigold, thyme, fenugreek, and vetiver, integration with cereals, legumes, vegetables, and perennial trees enhanced both land use efficiency and overall crop productivity. These systems often resulted in improved essential oil (EO) yield and composition, optimized plant growth, and increased economic returns, particularly when combined with organic inputs or biofertilizers. In addition to productivity gains, intercropping provides important ecological benefits. It can enhance soil fertility, stimulate microbial activity, and contribute to effective pest and weed management. Incorporating medicinal and aromatic plants into orchards, vineyards, or agroforestry systems further supported biodiversity. It influenced secondary metabolite production in companion crops, demonstrating the multifunctional role of these species in integrated farming systems. Overall, intercropping medicinal and aromatic plants represents a versatile and economically viable approach for sustainable crop production. The selection of compatible species, careful management of planting ratios, and appropriate agronomic practices are critical to maximizing both biological and economic benefits. Such strategies not only increase farm profitability but also promote environmental sustainability and resilience in diverse cropping systems. This review explores the effects of MAP integration on agroecological performance and identifies key mechanisms and practical outcomes.
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Keywords

Antioxidant activityBiomass yieldChemical-compositionsCrop diversificationCultivo intercaladoEconomic profitabilityEssential oil yieldFenugreek trigonella-foenumFertilidad del sueloGestión integrada de enfermedadesGraveolens l. her.Integrated pest managementLand equivalent ratioMentha-piperita l.Organic manurePelargonium-graveolensPlanta aromáticaPlanta medicinalSoil fertilitySoil healthSustainable agriculture

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Agronomy-Basel due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 21/129, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Agronomy.

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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-01-14:

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
    • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: http://hdl.handle.net/10532/8066
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    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Albania; Austria; Serbia; Slovakia.

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    Awards linked to the item

    This work is supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (Grant numbers: 451-03-136/2025-03/200032 (M.A.; J.& Ccaron;.; V.S.); 451-03-136/2025-03/200134 (B.L.); 451-03-136/2025-03/200051 (L.P.)).
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