Impact of intercrops on insect pests of blackgram, vigna mungo l

Abstract

The effect of intercrops viz., ground nut, sorghum and pearl millet with blackgram on different insect pests was studied in Tamil Nadu, India under irrigated conditions. Blackgram+intercrops were raised in different ratios at 3:1, 4:1 and 5:1. The incidence of insect pests, whitefly Bemisia tabaci, leaf hopper Empoasca kerri, defoliator Madurasia obscurella, pod borers Maruca vitrata, Lampides boeticus, Helicoverpa armigera were assessed on blackgram. The predatory coccinellid population was also recorded in different intercropping situations. The results revealed that the sucking pests B. tabaci and E. kerri population was low in the intercropped blackgram when compared to sole crop. The legume pod borer and other pod borer damage were low in the sorghum intercropped blackgram. The non-leguminous cereals intercropped blackgram plants had low pest incidence as well as higher coccinellid population. © 2012 Academic Journals Ink.