Eco-friendly management of insect pests of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) with intercropping and botanicals

Abstract

A study was conducted during winter seasons of 2005–06 and 2006–07 on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) with 9 different intercropping systems and 3 nimbicidine spray @ 7.5 ml/litre at 15 days interval for minimizing the incidence of major insect pests. Cauliflower intercropped with non-crucifer host plants, like sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), marigold (Tagetes erecta L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) recorded average incidence of aphids on 3 leaves/plant as 59.69, 71.86, 71.99, 76.80 and 78.90; and 54.48, 77.63, 68.05, 77.92 and 79.34 during 2005–06 and 2006–07 respectively. The coccinellids population was highest when cauliflower was intercropped with sunflower (11.25 and 17.13), followed by tomato (8.25 and 12.25), marigold (8.00 and 12.13), berseem (6.18 and 8.87) and lucerne (6.93 and 7.87). Cabbage butterfly larvae were minimum when cauliflower intercropped with sunflower (5.85 and 9.63). Diamond backmoth larvae were also minimum when cauliflower intercropped with sunflower (6.81), followed by tomato (7.96), marigold (8.22), lucerne (9.10) and berseem (9.80) during 2006–07. Cauliflower and sunflower intercropping system recorded more number of Apanteles plutellae pupae (3.25). All intercropping systems with non-crucifer plants significantly reduced aphid, larvae of diamond back moth and cabbage butterfly incidence, and had more number of aphidivorous coccinellids, larval parasitoid, and higher yield than the sole crop of cauliflower.