Effect of intercrops on damage potential of major insect pest of brinjal under the Gangetic alluvial zone of West Bengal

Abstract

Brinjal shoot and fruit bore and leaf hopper is the most destructive and the major limiting factor in quantitative as well as qualitative harvest of brinjal. The objective of the study was to estimate the effect of intercrops on damage potential of major insect pest of brinjal. Field experiments was carried out with 7 treatments [T1 (Sole Brinjal), T2 (Brinjal + Cowpea), T3 (Brinjal + Garlic), T4 (Brinjal + Fenugreek), T5 (Brinjal + Onion), T6 (Brinjal + Coriander), T7 (Brinjal + French bean)] following randomized block design with three replications. The results indicated that major insect-pest attributes were significantly influenced by intercropping system. Significant reduction of fruit and shoot borer and leaf hopper infestations was observed in brinjal + garlic intercropping system. Based on the performance of brinjal under different intercropping combinations, growing of brinjal with french bean was adjudged as the best treatment combination to maximize the growth, yield, quality and least infestation of major insect-pest.