Effect of intercropping white cabbage with French Marigold (Tagetes patula nana L.) and Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) on the colonization of plants by pest insects

Abstract

Abstract In 2003 - 2005 the impact of intercropping white cabbage ‘Bently F1’ with French Marigold (Tagetes patula nana ‘Kolombina’) and Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis ‘Promyk’) on the occurrence of pest insects was estimated. On plots where cabbage was intercropped the number of cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae L. and flea beetles Phyllotreta was significantly lower when compared with control variant (homogenous crop). Intercropping had an effect on the butterfly oviposition too. The lower number of eggs of the small white butterfly Pieris rapae L., large white butterfly P. brassicae L., cabbage moth Mamestra brassicae L. and larvae and pupae of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella L. were observed on plots with Calendula and Tagetes. Intercropping with Pot Marigold was the most effective pest control on cabbage.