Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Santhoshnagar, Hyderabad, A.P. - 500 059, India.
1Dept. of Entomology, Rajendranagar, ANG Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, A.P., 500 030, India.
The reviewed literature indicates that the population of different insect pests is reduced in the presence of associated plants in crop-crop diversity which is brought mainly by intercropping. The pulses which are often grown in intercropping situations are mainly benefited if suitable intercrop is selected. The factors responsible for this pest suppression are many and among them the role of natural enemies and change in microclimate is significant. The natural enemies account for more cases than other factors. There are cases where intercropping has no or adverse effect on insect pests. Caution is required to select suitable associated crops for pest control in intercropping situations as most of them are location specific.
