Impact of Intercropping in Cauliflower on Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)

Impact of intercropping on diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L). larval population was assessed on cauliflower during 2000–2002 at Varanasi, India. Cauliflower was intercropped with two rows of mustard, tomato and coriander after every ten rows and the three different cropping patterns of the above intercrops were tested for their efficacy. Results showed that cauliflower when intercropped with coriander harboured significantly less DBM larvae when compared to tomato and mustard intercrop treatments during both the years of study. Interaction analysis between inter crops and their cropping pattern clearly showed the significant difference in DBM larval population when cauliflower was intercropped with coriander having cropping pattern of I^st row of intercrop planted 15 days prior and 2^nd row 15 days after, the main crop transplantation.