Insect pest management in vegetable crops through trap cropping: Review

Abstract

The study was carried out at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2019 as the widespread use of insecticides to control crop pests has created various problems such as residues in the food chain, phytotoxicity, pesticide resistance, pest resurgence, bioaccumulation and secondary pest outbreak, in addition to causing harmful effect on the environment and non-targeted beneficial organisms. However, trap cropping is one such type of special companion planting strategy that is traditionally used for insect pest management through vegetative diversification used to attract insect pests away from the main crops during a critical time period by providing them an optional preferred choice. Trap cropping also has a tremendous potential to attract and conserve natural enemies in cropping systems. The effect of attracting natural enemies may be an advantage compared to the other/conventional means of pest control. Trap cropping can be integrated with other Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tactics. But trap cropping, like many other cultural tactics, remains under-exploited. Research on trap cropping has been very limited, and deserves more consideration to sustain agro-ecosystems throughout the world. In this review we have provided information based on trap cropping modalities and an updated list of trap cropping system in vegetable crops that should be proven as helpful in future trap cropping endeavors.