Effect of intercropping on aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) and beneficial insects in mustard crop

Abstract

Mustard (Brassica juncea) is a winter season crop which ranks second after Ground nut not only in area but also in production. There are many insect pests of mustard crop like mustard aphid, sawfly and mustard leaf eating caterpillar. Among them, mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Homoptera: Aphididae) is the most destructive one. Many scientists proved that intercropping of mustard with spice crops, potato, and pulses reduces the incidence of major insect pests such as mustard aphid, i¬‚ea beetle and saw i¬‚y. the present experiment was conducted in SHUATS field with following treatments T0-Mustard, T1-Mustard +Wheat, T2-Mustard+Onion, T3-Mustard+Garlic, T4-Mustard+Chick pea, T5 Mustard+Coriander, T6-Mustard+Cow pea, T7-Thiamethoxam. In in vivo conditions infestation of aphid was significantly reduced in T5- Mustard+Coriander (131.67) with 60.3% reduction over control followed by T7-Thiamethoxam (58.33) and T0-Control (331.67).