Impact of different intercrops on the incidence of insect pests in cabbage

Abstract

In India, cabbage is attacked by approximately 35 insect pests; due to the high nutritional value and succulent nature of cabbage, it has attracted the attention of several insect pests. Monocultures are low-diversity agroecosystems that may be more prone to outbursts of pests. The present study aimed to determine the impact of different intercrops on the incidence of insect pests on cabbage. The outcomes revealed that during Rabi 2021-22, populations of Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera litura were recorded for the first time during the 51st standard meteorological week (SMW). The incidence of aphids was first recorded in the 2nd SMW and reached the maximum level in the 8th SMW along with P. xylostella and S. litura. The lowest incidence of P. xylostella and aphids was recorded in the T6-Cabbage + Coriander treatment (2:2), followed by the T5-Cabbage + Coriander treatment (2:1); the maximum incidence of P. xylostella and aphids was observed in the T3-Cabbage+ Radish treatment (2:1), and all the intercropping treatments were superior to those used for the sole cabbage crop, with the maximum incidence of P. xylostella. The lowest incidence of S. litura T6-Cabbage + Coriander (2:2) was followed by T5-Cabbage + Coriander (2:1), and the maximum incidence of S. litura was observed in the T1-Cabbage + Onion treatment (2:1). The yield was the highest in the T6-Cabbage+ Coriander (2:2) treatment (257.33 q/ha main crop, 3.30 q/ha), followed by the T5-Cabbage+ Coriander 2:1 treatment (233.33 q/ha main crop, 1.83 q/ha) and the T3-Cabbage+ Radish treatment (2:1) (197.33 q/ha main crop, 25.32 q/ha).