Effect Of Intercropping Systems On Diamondback Moth (Plutella Xylostell L.) And Turnip Aphid (Lipaphis Erysimi Ka) Infesting Cabbage, Brassica Oleracea Var. Capitate

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at province of Basra for conducting the study during the growing season 2020/2021. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of intercropping of the cabbage crop on the infestation of the most important insect pests, Diamondback Moth DBM (Plutella xylostell L.) and Turnip Aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Ka). Cabbage crop was intercropped with three different intercrop configurations ‘onions, alfalfa, and broad beans’. Row intercropped plots contained 4 lines of cabbage crop with 0-3 lines of companion plants. The results of the effect intercropping systems showed the population of the DBM larvae and pupae and aphids were significantly greater on cabbage monoculture compared to intercropped treatments. Cabbage intercropped with the bean plant (1 cabbage: 1 broad bean) was the best treatments. The results also showed the effectiveness of the intercropping systems of cabbage on reducing the population density of aphids. The lowest population were recorded in the treatments (3 cabbage: 1 alfalfa) and (3 cabbage: 1 broad bean), compared to the monoculture cabbage system. In conclusion, this study showed the efficiency of intercropping systems in decreasing the infestation or influencing the development of the DBM instars and turnip aphids.