Impact of intercrops on predatory fauna in rainfed sesame

Abstract

Intercropping influences pests by altering the micro-climate by modifying crop canopies, minimizing the build-up of the pest population through physiological factors such as shading wind cover, sheltering, color change, dispersal prevention, stand shape, etc. and biological agents like natural enemies. Uses of intercrops are vital tools that alter population status of pests and predators. Field experiments were executed to investigate the impact of intercropping on population of predatory fauna of sesame and cost economics. Statistically significant and highest coccinellid population was reported in sesame+green gram (1.08, 1.22 and 1.08 per plant) and sesame+finger millet (1.08, 1.08 and 1.02 per plant) during the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, consistently. Similarly, highest spider population was also recorded in sesame+green gram (1.08, 0.87 and 1.02 per plant) and sesame+finger millet (1.12, 0.97 and 0.98 per plant). Sesame intercropped with finger millet has achieved highest SEY of 285.7, 277.3 and 284.7 kg/ ha during three consecutive years of 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively followed by sesame+green gram (241.9, 235.3 & 239.2 kg per ha in the respective years).